A large police presence was seen around Wallsend after a man was injured during an early-morning assault.
Officers were called to a "disturbance" on Holly Avenue in the North Tyneside town just after 6.30am on Thursday.
It had been reported that a man had been assaulted in the street but when police officers arrived, everybody involved had left the area, including the victim.
He has since been tracked down by police and is now being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his head.
Police officers put up a cordon around the area as they carried out an investigation on Thursday morning.
Any witnesses or anyone who has information on the assault has been asked to come forward.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Inquiries remain ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police using reference number 159 20/02/20."
