Paramedic hurt in 'hammer' attack

Police are hunting two people over a suspected hammer attack on an off-duty paramedic.

The 37-year-old man was assaulted following an argument with a man and a woman in a curry house in Merstham, Surrey.

The paramedic, who had just finished a shift with the London Ambulance Service, had just left the Merstham Tandoori when the man grabbed him from behind, Surrey Police said.

His attacker hit him across the face with what is believed to be a hammer, smashing his glasses.

He fell to the ground, where the man punched him while the woman stamped on his chest and kicked him in the groin, a spokeswoman for Surrey Police said.

'Extreme violence'

The pair, who are believed by police to be local, ran off when another man came to the paramedic's assistance.

The man was described as white, in his early 20s, about 5 ft 6 in and of average to athletic build with broad shoulders.

He had short fair hair, a stud in his right ear and wore a white collarless shirt or football top.

The woman, who was in her late teens or early 20s, was about 5 ft tall with blonde hair.

The police spokeswoman said: "The victim fought back during the attack and the man is likely to have a bitemark on his neck and the woman may have a bruise on her left cheek.

"Both may have blood on their clothing."

She said officers were still looking for the weapon and were concerned that the couple were "clearly capable of extreme violence with no provocation."

Anyone with information is urged to call Surrey Police.