A six-year-old girl was violently attacked in a Watford supermarket.

The child was in the Iceland store, in Albert Road South, when she was repeatedly punched at about 5pm on Thursday.

Witnesses say she was set upon by a large man in his 30s, forcing horrified shoppers and the girl’s mother to intervene.

It is believed that the attacker, who was arrested by police and bailed to secure accommodation, has mental health problems.

The girl, who suffered bruises, is recovering at home.