Detectives have launched an appeal for witnesses after a 25-year-old man was hit with a bottle outside the Earl of Wakefield pub in East Ham.

He was attacked from behind by a group of men on Saturday, April 2 at 2.40am in Wakefield Street.

The victim was struck over the head by one man with what is believed to be a glass bottle. Bleeding, he staggered to the other side of the road to the junction of Katherine Road when the same attacker, now joined by three other men, continued the attack.

The four thugs fled when police and an ambulance crew arrived.

The injured man was taken to hospital with a fractured thumb, bruising and swelling to the head and needed ten stitches to a lip wound.

The suspects are described as Asian men, aged between 20 and 30 years old.

Investigating officer Det Con Geoff Emslie urged people who may have witnessed or know anything of “this seemingly unprovoked incident” to come forward and speak to police.

* Anyone who can help can call contact Newham Violent Crime Unit on 020 7275 5711 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.