A man was spat at and hit by a woman while sitting in a park earlier this month.

Hertfordshire Police today launched an appeal for witnesses following the incident on Wednesday, June 10.

The victim was sitting on a bench in an isolated area of Marford Playing Fields, Wheathampstead, when he was approached by a woman he did not know.

She allegedly threatened the man, spat at him and hit him in the face, police say; no injuries were reported.

The woman is described as white, in her 30s, and of medium height with curly brown shoulder length hair. She was wearing black trousers and a black jacket.

PC Alex Olteanu, of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was an upsetting incident for the man involved and I’d like to speak to the woman concerned.

“Were you in or around the playing fields at the time of this incident? Did you see what happened? Or do you know the woman involved? If so please contact me directly via email at alex.olteanu@herts.pnn.police.uk”

You can also report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in Herts Police's Force Communications Room via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the forces non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 41/45827/20.

If a crime is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report information online at crimestoppers-uk.org.