Police are appealing for witnesses after an NHS Test and Trace worker was attacked on a bus in north London.

The 63-year-old victim boarded the route 149 bus just before Seven Sisters station on August 23, police said.

The suspect boarded the bus at the next stop at about 9:45pm and about five minutes later allegedly punched the victim repeatedly to the floor and stamped on his head five times.

Police have said the attack was related to “a confrontation over face masks” and have released an image of a man wanted in connection with the attack.

The suspect is described as a tall Black man, aged approximately between 23 and 25 years and with an athletic or muscular build. 

Pc Bowman from the Roads and Transport Policing Command said: “Although there is no sound on the CCTV and all the victim remembers is waking up in hospital, we believe that this was all triggered by face masks.

“We think that the attacker, who had his face covering beneath his chin, took offence when the victim, who was fully covered, consciously moved away from him.

“When the attacker then follows the victim to the back of the bus, he can be seen pointing and gesturing at the victim’s face mask before he starts repeatedly punching and kicking him.

“This was a totally unwarranted violent assault and we urgently need to speak to this man. If anyone knows who he is or has any other information – or witnessed this offence – please call.”