A MAN suffered head injuries after being attacked with a crowbar during an assault lasting 40 minutes.

The attack took place in a silver Ford Fiesta as it was driven from Clacton's Gorse Lane industrial estate to Thorpe-le-Soken on Tuesday afternoon.

Police say the 26-year-old victim was assaulted with a crowbar and left with an injury to the back of his head, following what was described as a serious assault.

He also needed stitches above one of his eyes.

A 31-year-old man from London is currently in custody on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

Police say the assault started at 4pm and ended at around 4.40pm, when the Fiesta collided with parked vehicles on Sneating Hall Lane in Thorpe.

During that time, the car stopped at a number of locations, including outside the Scout hut in Frinton Road, Thorpe.

Det Sgt Dan Jeffries, of Clacton CID, said: “Nobody else was injured during this incident, however this could have been a very different story due to the fact that the assault happened as the car was in motion.

“The motivation behind the attack at this stage is unclear, and a man arrested on suspicion of GBH, remains in police custody for questioning."

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who has dash-cam footage of the car as it travelled from Clacton to Thorpe to contact Det Sgt Jeffries on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.