POLICE have launched an appeal after a man was attacked from behind in a busy shopping spot in Worcester, leaving him in need of hospital treatment

The 38 year-old had started to walk with his shopping through an alleyway to the side of Fit For Free, in St Martin's Quarter, when he heard a man with an Irish accent shout at him.

He continued to walk but was attacked from behind and pushed to the floor. The offender tried to take the victim's phone and wallet but was successfully pushed away.

The victim was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital with slight injuries.

West Mercia Police is searching for a white man, about 5 ft 2 tall, with an Irish accent and a beard who was wearing a duffle coat with the hood up, jeans and boots at the time of the offence.

The attempted robbery happened between 9pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, April 18, in Silver Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 0740 of 18 April 2015.