Police are hunting a man who beat a 41-year-old with a metal bar outside Walthamstow Job Centre.

It happened at around 6.10pm on Saturday February 2, but the Met has only released details today.

The victim had just come out of Walthamstow Central Station when he noticed he was being followed.

He turned into Westbury Road when the man approached him and began hitting him with the bar several times in the head.

He then dropped the bar and produced a knife.

The man shouted for help, prompting the attacker to pick up the bar and run away from the direction of the High Street.

A Met spokesman said their suspect was a 37-year-old white man who is approximately 5ft 10ins in height.

The victim was rushed to hospital and treated for broken bones in the hands, wounds he suffered as he covered his head during the attack.

He has since been discharged.

A Met spokesman said: "Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Detective Constable Paul Stevens from Waltham Forest CID on 0203 276 0969 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

It is not believed to be a random attack.