Detectives are investigating an unprovoked attack on a man in Cosham.

The victim, aged 25 from Hampshire, was walking through the underpass at Compass roundabout by Northern Road between 1.15pm and 1.25pm on Tuesday, August 19, 2014.

A man he did not know asked for money and then approached him while carrying what appeared to be a knife.

The 25-year-old defended himself by pushing away the attacker who then ran from the underpass along Southampton Road towards Paulsgrove.

The victim was not injured and nothing was stolen.

A suspect was described as:

  • A white man Aged in his late 20s
  • Slim to average build
  • 5 ft 6 to 5 ft 7 ins tall
  • Scruffy appearance
  • Facial stubble
  • A fresh looking scar going straight up the inside of his right forearm.

He was wearing a thin plain black beanie hat, long-sleeve top and trousers, and bright blue running trainers.

There was a half-full black bin liner wrapped around his left hand.

Detective Constable Chris Dinenage of Portsmouth CID said: “This was a cowardly unprovoked attack where the offender targeted a man who refused to be intimidated.

“We’re appealing for any witnesses to come forward so the attacker can be brought to justice.

“Officers investigating a robbery against a 16-year-old boy between Blakemere Crescent and Meadowsweet Way in Paulsgrove on Monday night (18 August) are keeping an open mind about whether the two crimes are connected.

“A routine line of enquiry is to examine any similarities in information available to police at the moment.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about the attempted robbery in the underpass on Tuesday afternoon are asked to contact Detective Constable Chris Dinenage in CID at Fratton police station by phoning 101.

Mini-com users can phone 18001 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.