A boy from Dagenham was hit over the head with an object put inside a sock.

The 16-year-old and a friend were waiting at South Woodham Ferrers station in Essex for a train home, when the pair were approached by another teenager.

After words were exchanged, the suspect, aged between 17 and 18, is thought to have put an object in a sock before striking the victim over the head.

He then ran away from the scene with a woman.

The boy went home and was later taken to Queen’s Hospital in Romford, where he needed his head glued.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are in the early stages of the investigation and will be carrying out a number of enquiries and looking at CCTV.

Det Cons Bishop added: “We believe the incident took place around 4.20pm, which is when many passengers may have been at the station or on trains passing through.

“If you saw the incident, or a man and woman running from the scene, I’d urge you to come forward and help piece together the incident.”

The suspect is described as white, around 6ft tall and of thin build. He had a dark, tidy cut hair and had a diamond-stood earring in one ear. He was wearing a black polo-type top, with dark blue denim jeans and trainers.

Anyone with information about the assault should contact BTP on 0800 405040 quoting background reference B18/LNA of 26/09/2013. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.