POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted yesterday by three youths as he walked through a park area in Crewe.

The 51-year-old from Nantwich was repeatedly punched and kicked by the teenagers in the attempted robbery in an area known locally as Collinbrook Fields at around 6.15pm.

They demanded money from him and after he escaped they followed him to the Collinbrook Avenue estate, where one of them hit him over the head with part of a tree branch.

The victim escaped into a nearby property and police are urging anyone who saw the attack or has any other information that may help their investigation to come forward.

Detective Inspector Claire Jesson of Crewe Local Policing Unit said: “This was a terrifying incident which left the victim extremely shaken up.

"I would like to reassure residents that this seems to be an isolated incident and we are doing everything we can to catch the three youths responsible.”

The youths are believed to be white males aged 15 to 18. They were all wearing dark tracksuits and dark hooded tops and one of them had a hat on.

One of the teenagers, who seemed to be the youngest of the three, is around 5’ 5” tall and is described as having a thin build and short dark hair.

Another is described as thin and around 5’ 9” tall – and the final youth is believed to be an inch or two shorter.

DI Jesson added: “I urge anyone who saw the attack or saw three youths matching those descriptions in the area around the time of the attack to get in touch.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who thinks they might know who the three youths are.”

Anyone with information that may help Cheshire Police with their investigation should call 101, quoting incident number 694 of 21 February 2018, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.