The victim, a woman in her 30s, was standing outside a row of shops on Cunningham Crescent at around ten past eight on Sunday evening, 28 March, when a man and woman got out of a silver Mercedes and approached her. The man struck her several times to the head with a baseball bat and the woman stamped on her arm as she lay on the ground.

It was reported that the man and woman are known to the victim.

The victim had treatment in hospital to two cuts to her head, bruising to her face and jaw and a bruise on her arm.

Detective Constable Phillip Riggs, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We take violent assaults of this nature extremely seriously and we are carrying a full investigation into this incident.

“I understand there were a number of people in the area at the time of this assault and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened who has not already spoken to police to please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210049146. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.