Police have released an image of a man they would like to trace after a boy was left with facial injuries following an alleged attack on a North East bus.
Officers said the 16-year-old boy was travelling on a bus in the High Heaton area of Newcastle when he was approached by a man who allegedly hit him several times in the head.
Police said this man was in the area at the time of the incident and believe he could have "valuable information".
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "At about 6.40pm on Saturday, January 13, a 16-year-old male victim was with friends on board the upper deck of the number 63 Stagecoach bus which was travelling on Benton Road in the High Heaton area of Newcastle.
"He reported that he was approached by a man who then hit him several times in the head before returning to his seat.
"The boy was left with injuries to his face."
The spokesperson added: "An investigation has been launched and officers have today (Wednesday) released an image of a man they would like to trace.
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"He was in the area at the time of the incident and it is believed he could have valuable information which may assist the ongoing investigation."
The man, or anyone who knows them, should use the ‘Report’ page of the Northumbria Police website or call 101, quoting crime reference number 005173M/24.
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