POLICE have released CCTV footage of the moment two friends became victims of a so-called 'happy slapping' attack, the first of its kind in west Oxfordshire.

Police released the footage of the incident yesterday in the hope of identifying the two attackers, who punched and kicked their victims before filming one of them on a mobile phone as he cowered against a wall.

One victim, who we have not identified, has relived his ordeal, which happened as he and friend walked home after a night out in Witney last November.

PC Paul Jackson, of Witney police, said: "I have been in the job for three-and-a-half years and this is the most brutal attack I've seen.

"It was completely unprovoked, and the fact the attacker used a mobile phone makes it even more worrying."

The video shows the victim and a friend, who had travelled from Cornwall, walking along Langdale Gate in Witney at 11.45pm on November 17, after a night out, when they were confronted by two men. For no apparent reason, the attackers start hitting the two friends, with the Witney man being knocked to the ground, where he was kicked and punched.

The film shows the victim's friend, who had his white T-shirt ripped from his back, running off to get help.

While still on the ground, the victim is shown trying to protect himself from the attackers, one of whom takes out a mobile phone and films the assault.

The attackers can then be seen walking off along the street, laughing.

The CCTV footage also shows four witnesses who walked past during the assault. One of them is seen watching the violence.

Police were called to the scene by a control room CCTV operator and arrived within a minute of the attack ending.

The victim was left with cuts on his head. Police said he was fortunate not to have been more seriously injured.

He said: "One of the men asked if I wanted a fight. I said 'no', and he hit me. I fell over and he started kicking me, lashing out at my face with his boot. I didn't know what was happening and was just thinking 'when is he going to stop?' "I got a good hiding. But it could have happened to anyone. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"It still makes me worried about going out and I'm always looking over my shoulder. I used to always walk home. Now I get a taxi."

The man's 21-year-old sister, who also asked not to be named, said: "I go out a lot and see fights, but nothing like this.

"I'm worried about going out and just want them to get caught."

PC Jackson said: "Someone out there must know who did this, and we need them to come forward before it happens to someone else.

"I've lived in Witney all my life, and even as a police officer it has made me look over my shoulder."

The area police commander, Chief Insp Dennis Evernden, described the attack as unbelievable. He said: "This is Witney at its very worst."

The main attacker was white, aged about 25, of stocky build, about 6ft 2in tall, with short, dark hair.

He wore light jeans, a dark shirt, denim jacket and brown shoes. The victim bled during the attack, which may have left blood stains on the attacker's trousers.

The second man was white, also aged about 25, of medium build, about 5ft 8in tall, with short, dark hair. He wore light jeans, a white shirt, dark jacket and black shoes.

Anyone with information about the attack should call Insp Darren Carver on 08458 505505, or annonymously to the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.