POLICE have appealed for help to identify a teenage boy after a "nasty assault" at a bus stop.

A man in his 20s was sitting at a bus stop outside Baxters Bar in Christchurch Road, Boscombe when he was approached by a group of male teenagers at around 1.30am on Friday May 31.

One of the group took a pouch containing tobacco, cash, a wallet and keys from the victim and they walked off down an alleyway in the direction of Haviland Road.

A short time later, one of the teenagers returned and handed back the pouch, but the tobacco and cash were missing.

Other members of the group returned to the area and began goading the victim. He challenged them as they walked off in the direction of Ashley Road.

One of the teenagers punched the victim three times to the face, causing him to fall to the ground. He sustained severe bruising to his face and a chipped tooth as a result of the attack.

Police Constable Cameron McGlone, of Bournemouth police, said: “This was a nasty assault. Following inquiries we obtained a CCTV image of a teenager we would like to speak to in connection with this incident.

Information to Dorset Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55190081952 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.