An 11-year-old boy was left needing stitches after being punched in the face by a man on Hallowe'en.
The boy was out with friends in Old Kilpatrick, near Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, when he was attacked by a man in his 40s.
Police said some of the group had been throwing eggs at houses in the Western Isles Estate area prior to the assault.
The incident happened at around 8pm on Saturday night when the boy was with his friends in the lane between Harris Drive and Old Dalnottar Road.
He was chased and punched in the face by a man who ran off in the direction of Old Dalnottar Road, police said.
The boy was taken by ambulance to Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he received stitches to his eye.
Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The suspect is described as being white, in his 40s, of chubby build, with stubble on his face and dark hair. He was wearing a dark-coloured top.
DC Nicola McGowan, the officer in charge of the inquiry, said: "The boy had been out for Hallowe'en with a group of friends in the Old Kilpatrick area and, on this occasion, some of the group had thrown eggs at the windows of several of the houses in Western Isles Estate, Old Kilpatrick.
"It is believed that the suspect for the attack came from one of the houses involved.
"Whilst we are not condoning the egg throwing - that in itself was dangerous and upsetting for the householders - it's no excuse to hit a child in the face so hard they had to get stitches.
"I would like to hear from anyone who was in the area, who saw the attack or recognises the description of the man. I would also appeal to the man himself to come forward."
CID at Clydebank can be contacted on 101, while Crimestoppers can be reached on 0800 555 111.
PA
