POLICE are hunting a man who attacked a female taxi driver after she asked him to stop swearing.

During the assault, which took place in the small car park in front of Frankie and Benny’s restaurant at Castlepoint last Sunday, the 55-year-old victim was punched in the face and kicked.

She had picked up the men from outside the Tourist Information Centre in Westover Road before taking them to the shopping centre at around midnight, and asked her passengers to stop using foul language.

One of the men then punched her to the side of the face.

She got out of the taxi and the offender continued to punch her, causing her to fall to the ground.

He then kicked at her head, chest and arms.  The victim sustained a two inch cut above her left eye and swelling to her face.

The other passengers shouted at the offender to stop the assault.

Together the three men and the offender got into a small black car, parked outside Nandos in the same car park, and drove from the scene.

Constable Gareth Belsey, of Bournemouth police, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack which caused injury and a lot of pain to the victim.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw the incident or who may have any information that could help with the investigation to contact Dorset Police.

“I am particularly keen to speak with anyone who may have seen four black or Asian men in the area around the Tourist Information Centre on Westover Road, or at Castlepoint, around midnight on Sunday, August 17 2014.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 17:03. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.