A man was attacked with a plank of wood and sprayed in the face with an unknown substance.

A group of men in a white van shouted abuse at a 25-year-old man outside shops in Nazeingbury Parade, Waltham Abbey, at about 5.20pm on October 2, Essex Police said.

They were reportedly joined by another group of men, who were in a black Ford Focus.

One of the men from the Focus allegedly hit the victim with a piece of wood and sprayed him in the face with an unknown substance.

The substance caused irritation to the victim’s eye.

Detectives have released an image of a man wanted for questioning in connection with the incident.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and have spoken to a number of witnesses and reviewed CCTV.

"We’d like to hear from anyone who can identify the man pictured, or saw what happened and has yet to come forward."

If you have information, contact DC Alana McCreath at Harlow CID on 101 quoting reference 2/159882/20,

You can also report online at www.essex.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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