A man in his 20s was left with a broken jaw after a serious and unprovoked assault in Walton.

Three teenagers approached the victim at the Heart Shopping Centre at about 3.45pm on Friday, July 19, and began verbally abusing him.

The victim ignored them but their abuse continued as he was leaving the centre and they confronted him outside Sainsbury’s.

One of them punched him in the face from behind and all three fled the scene.

The victim was taken to St George’s Hospital, Tooting, and will need an operation to repair his jaw.

All three attackers were about 18-years-old.

One had black hair and was wearing a khaki green T-shirt. Another had short light brown hair and was wearing a pink T-shirt.

The third also had short brown hair and was bare-chested with a large tattoo on his chest, possibly a scroll.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Duncombe said: “This was a particularly nasty and unprovoked attack on an innocent man who was going about his business.

“The assault has left him with a very serious injury to his face and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to identify those responsible for this crime.

“This incident took place in broad daylight in a busy shopping precinct and there would have been a number of people around at the time.

"I am appealing for anyone who was in the area and saw what took place to come forward.

“I am equally keen to hear from anybody who recognises the description of the three youths or has any information on who was involved.”

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference EL/13/4823 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.