A 10-year-old boy suffered a two inch cut to his head after being hit by a falling piece of masonry while playing at the foot of the tower block, which police say could have been deliberately thrown.

Detectives in Redbridge are appealing for witnesses or information after the incident last week at Sunset Court, in Navestock Crescent, Woodford Green.

Police were called to the scene at 7.31pm on July 8 following a report of a boy with a head injury.

As the boy's mother was sitting under a covered area at the bottom of the block of flats, she heard the sound of glass smashing near the 10-year-old who was in the open area just a few feet away.

It was as she was walking towards him that a piece of masonry about five inches wide fell from above and struck the boy on his head.

A member of the public heard her shouts and immediately called the police.

The boy required stitches for a cut of two inches to the top of his head before being released from Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone.

Police searched the area and found a glass bottle and piece of masonry that are both believed to have come from the building above.

Detective constable Tom Martin, from Redbridge police, said: "This was a frightening incident involving a young boy who was struck on the head from a falling piece of masonry.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that the masonry was deliberately thrown at the boy and I would ask anyone who has information about this incident to contact police."

Contact police on 101.