A savage assault in which a 50-year-old car passenger was viciously attacked in front of his family for no apparent reason while they waited in traffic has left Wickford police desperate for witnesses.

On Tuesday the officer leading the hunt for the two assailants, PC Marvin Rothman, said: "We need to speak to anyone who saw this.

"Wickford has rarely been the scene of violence of this kind and we want witnesses to come forward so we can act quickly to catch those two men

"We are all shocked and surprised with the ferocity and savagery of the attack and have no idea or motive as to how or why it happened - though it could have been an attempt to steal a mobile telephone.

"However, it does appear it was unprovoked and I am baffled that people would get out of their car and do this kind of thing in broad daylight and on a crowded road.

"If these people are capable of doing this to an apparently innocent man we have to be concerned."

The vicious assault happened after the victim's car was stopped in slow moving traffic on the slip road of the A127 leading from the Nevendon Road roundabout in Wickford last Wednesday, July 14 at 1.40pm.

The two suspects got out of their car, which was also stuck in the jam, and without warning wrenched the passenger door open before raining kicks and punches down on their defenceless victim in front of his wife, who was driving, and their 18-year-old daughter.

They then jumped back into their black Fiat Uno and made off once the traffic began moving leaving the family devastated.

Police say the victim is still too traumatised and upset to be identified. He suffered extensive bruising to his body, head and legs but after being seen by a police doctor was allowed home.

The attackers were described as black, in their mid-20s with London accents. One was 5ft 10in tall with a stocky, athletic build while the other was shorter.

If you can help contact Pc Rothman on 01268 584212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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