Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault in Oxford yesterday.

At about 7.20pm, a 36-year-old man was assaulted by two teenagers in Iffley Road, near to the Plain.

When the man walked past the teenagers they struck him in the face with a balloon, causing him to fall into the road. He sustained a cut and swelling to his mouth.

The offenders are aged between 17 and 18, about 5ft 10in tall and slim.

One was black, with short hair and was wearing a plain blue top. The other was white, with short blond hair. He was wearing a plain white T-shirt, a blue baseball cap and a gold chain around his neck.

PC Lewis Boyce said: “The teenagers were seen attempting to knock passing cyclists from their bikes by hitting them with balloons.

“After they had knocked the man to the floor, we believe they punched him before walking away in the direction of the city centre.

“I appeal to anyone who was in this area of Oxford yesterday and saw two people of similar descriptions to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries is urged to contact PC Boyce via Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.