A Turkish woman has been assaulted by a man in what police are treating as a racially motivated attack.
Dorset Police said the man approached the victim, who was in her 20s, and made a religious comment to her before punching her in the face.
The victim sustained bruising to her head but did not require medical treatment during the incident which happened at around 2.20am on Saturday in the Charminster area of Bournemouth.
A passer-by came to the victim’s aid and took her to a nearby bar to alert the police.
The suspect is described as aged in his 40s, of stocky build and was wearing a grey tracksuit and a grey hooded top with the hood up. He spoke with a Scottish accent.
Inspector Jonathan Wasey said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a young woman as she walked alone.
“I am urging anyone who witnessed the incident or saw a man matching the description given in the area at the relevant time to please contact Dorset Police immediately.
“Racially motivated incidents such as this have no place in our community and they will simply not be tolerated.
“A full investigation is under way to find the offender.
“Officers will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in the area to reassure the community and can be contacted with any concerns.”