THIS is the face of the attacker who stabbed a man in the back as he walked through a city centre park in the middle of the afternoon.

With his distinctive facial features and ginger stubble and hair, detectives are hoping someone will recognise the man who carried out the unprovoked assault.

The photofit has been created with the help of the 53-year-old victim, who ended up in Southampton General Hospital.

He was released yesterday, after receiving stitches to his wound.

A team of detectives are working on the investigation to find the man, who struck between 2.15pm and 3pm on Sunday as the victim walked through East Park in the city.

They say it was a “motiveless”

attack; neither men knew each other and there were no words exchanged.

Patrols have also been increased in and around the park areas to reassure local people. The stabbing happened by the exit to Park Walk, near the gates that lead to the Southampton City Council depot.

The attacker was seen to run from there along Park Walk, towards the newly created grass gap where Tyrell and Green used to be. People are known to have been sitting in the area at the time and police believe they could hold vital clues.

Det Con Jonny Hyland who is investigating the crime said: “This appears to be an unusual set of circumstances which has led to this seemingly motiveless attack.

“We are seeking to find the man responsible as soon as possible and would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time who has information about the incident.

The attacker is described as white, aged 25 to 30, 5ft 11ins to 6ft, of medium to heavy build (14 to 16 stone in weight) and with a ginger beard. He was wearing a dark tracksuit-style top and bottoms and a black woolly hat or cap.

l Call the Operation Corfe team at Shirley CID on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity line anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Park Walk, Southampton