A man was left unconscious after being struck in the back of the head and beaten on the floor near a Watford supermarket.

Herts Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after the “serious assault” between 2.50am and 3.03am on Saturday (February 3).

The victim was in the Sainsbury’s car park in Albert Road South, while walking home, when a man got behind him and struck him in the back of the head with an unknown object, causing him to fall to the floor.

The suspect continued to hit the man, who is in his 50s, with the object after he fell, police said, leaving him with a cut on the back of his head and injuries to his ribs.

The force believe he lost consciousness for around a minute after the attack.

Detective Constable Ben Chandler said: “We understand that news of this incident may be unsettling for the community, but we would like to reassure them that we are supporting the victim while thoroughly exploring several avenues of enquiry.”

Members of the public with information, “no matter how insignificant you think it may be”, have been asked to email ben.chandler@herts.police.uk.

Information can also be provided online or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 41/9379/24.