A NEW photo has been released by police after a man suffered a torn eyelid as he tried to protect a young woman during a row in Bournemouth town centre.

As reported, the victim, who is in his 20s, was hurt by a man who ‘pulled and scratched at his face’ in an incident outside Walkabout in Old Christchurch Road at around 3am on Saturday, March 30.

Detectives say the victim had intervened in a row between a man and two women outside the bar. He stood in front of one of the women to protect her and the man quickly became aggressive, shoving at the victim.

Both men then fell to the ground before the attacker clawed at the victim’s face.

After others separated the two, the victim was able to get away. He then discovered blood coming from cuts to his face.

He went to hospital where he was treated for a torn eyelid and injury to his tear duct that required surgery.

Detective Constable Kat Rawlings, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We have continued our investigation and in the process have been able to obtain an additional CCTV image of the suspect.

“As this is of a better quality than those issued originally, I am hoping that somebody will recognise the man and help me identify him.”

The attack happened in one of Bournemouth's busiest streets. In 2018, police were called to almost 450 reports of crime in 0.1 of a mile between the shared space and the junction for Glen Fern Road.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting 55190047891.