A WOMAN was struck on the head with a baseball bat before an attacker stamped on her arm as she lay on the ground.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place in Cunningham Crescent, West Howe, Bournemouth last night.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was standing outside a row of shops in Cunningham Crescent at around 8.10pm when a man and woman got out of a silver Mercedes car 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.

The man and woman are known to the victim.

Aggressive and threatening beggar arrested in Bournemouth

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to two cuts to her head, bruising to her face and jaw and a bruise on her arm. She has since left hospital.

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 on 101, quoting occurrence number 55210049146, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.