POLICE have released an e-fit as part of a manhunt after a teenage girl was seriously injured in a hammer attack.

The 17-year-old was rushed to Southampton General Hospital with significant injuries and officers taped off a row of terraced houses following the attack.

She was attacked at about 7pm on Monday evening and remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Detectives are now considering whether the house on Shearer Road, Portsmouth, was specifically targeted due to links with the sex trade, and Hampshire Constabulary says it is working with charity groups to ensure anyone affected is given support.

The man shown in the e-fit was seen running across Shearer Road and into Beecham Road past the Shearer Arms pub shortly after the incident.

He is described as being white, of small or medium build, five feet five inches tall, has short light brown hair and a short beard, and was wearing a brown coat, jeans, and light-coloured trainers.

Superintendent Will Schofield who is in charge of policing in Portsmouth said: "Officers from across the city and other areas of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are working tirelessly to progress this investigation to secure justice for the victim.

"We are continuing to treat this as an isolated incident at this time, but I'd like to re-assure the local community that we are actively patrolling the area and these officers are happy to address any concerns that you may have if you speak to them.

"A number of active lines of enquiry are still being followed, but I'd urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 4pm and 7:30pm to contact us".

Anyone with information can call police on 101 and quote crime reference number 44160137858.