CCTV footage of a man knocking a 59-year-old to the ground has been released by the police in an appeal for witnesses.

Police have released the video of an assault in Paignton in the hope that the public can identify the man responsible.

The assault took place outside the Co-Operative store on Palace Avenue, Paignton at around 8.45pm on Tuesday, September 29.

A police spokesman said: “This is a particularly shocking unprovoked attack, especially as it appears that the attacker is with a child at the time. There were a number of people in the area at the time who may have witnessed this unprovoked attack and who could help us identify the attacker.

“Also we would very much like to speak to the men who came to the victim’s aid following the attack – one has been in contact but the other has yet to come forward.”

A 59-year-old man was using the ATM machine outside the Co-Operative when a man, who was in the company of a boy, punches the victim before fleeing the scene towards the area of the Palace Theatre.

Police have described the attacker as being around 6”1 tall, white, wearing a dark t-shirt and of stocky build. The boy who was with him is believed to be around 12-years old and was wearing a red long sleeve top.

The victim sustained injuries to his face and head and had to go to hospital for treatment

To view the CCTV footage, click here.

Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time, or who witnessed the attack to contact them on 101 or 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk quoting police crime reference CR/067997/15.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, or via crimestoppers-uk.org.