A 15-year-old schoolboy was attacked by a man with a metal pole on his way home from school.
The attack happened in a field near Ninefields, Waltham Abbey, at around 1.45pm on Thursday, November 28.
The boy was followed by a man, in a balaclava carrying a metal pole who then approached him and tried to hit him with the weapon but the boy managed to run off.
The suspect is described as stocky, around 6ft tall, and wearing dark clothing.
PC Joseph Leppard said: "This is a very unusual occurrence and we would very much like to find this man. He did not say anything to the victim and there is currently no motive for his actions."
Anyone with information can call police on 101.
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