A MAN suffered a fractured skull after he was battered with a metal bar in a daylight attack.

The 21-year-old victim had been walking along Copsewood Road, Bitterne, when he was assaulted by a man with the weapon.

Prior to the assault, which happened between 1.55pm and 2.15pm on Wednesday (October 24), the suspect with a metal bar exited a car which had pulled up near to the Hop Inn pub.

The victim was then seriously assaulted by the man and taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment following the incident.

The car the man exited is described by Hampshire Constabulary as being a silver Volkswagen Polo.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault or has any information that could assist enquiries.

Detective Constable Laura Hardy said: “This incident happened in daylight hours, in the early afternoon, when there are likely to have been people around who saw something.

“Did you witness the incident, or did you see the car being driven in this area?

“We are treating this as an isolated incident with no wider threat to the general public, but we are keen to establish the exact circumstances.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44180400517, or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.