Police hunt vicious thug behind brutal bus attack on NHS Test and Trace worker, 63, who 'confronted him for not wearing mask on public transport'

• The 63-year-old NHS Test and Trace officer was attacked on a north London bus
• Victim was punched repeatedly before the man stamped on his head five times
• Police believe the attack was prompted by the victim moving away from his attacker who was not wearing a mask on public transport
• Police called it a 'totally unwarranted violent assault' and are asking anyone with information to come forward
• Do you know either of the men in the video, or were you a witness? Email us at: tips@dailymail.com or antonia.paget@mailonline.co.uk

Police are hunting for a vicious thug who punched an NHS Test and Trace worker to the ground in a furious row over social distancing and facemasks on a London bus. 

Scotland Yard said the 63-year-old victim got on the 149 bus just before Seven Sisters station, five minutes before his attacker boarded at the next stop at around 9:45pm on August 23.

Five minutes into the journey, the victim was punched to the floor and had his head stamped on five times after the thug 'took offence' at him wearing a mask and moving out of his way to maintain social-distancing.

All the victim can remember is waking up in hospital but CCTV shows him confronting his attacker moments before the savage assault.

+6

The alleged attacker is seen boarding the 149 bus at 9.45pm near Seven Sisters station. Metropolitain Police released CCTV of a man wanted in connection with the attack

+6

Police believe the incident was sparked by the 63-year-old victim moving away from the unmasked man to maintain a social distance on the bus

+6

Five minutes into the journey the man started shouting at the victim and followed him to the back of  the bus

Pc Bowman from the Roads and Transport Policing Command said: 'Although there is no sound on the CCTV and all the victim remembers is waking up in hospital, we believe that this was all triggered by face masks. 

'We think that the attacker, who had his face covering beneath his chin, took offence when the victim, who was fully covered, consciously moved away from him.

'When the attacker then follows the victim to the back of the bus, he can be seen pointing and gesturing at the victim's face mask before he starts repeatedly punching and kicking him. 

+6

The man punched the 63-year-old NHS Track and Trace worker repatedly, forcing him  to the floor

+6

The violent thug then kicked him in the head five times in the unprovoked attack

+6

Pc Bowman from the Roads and Transport Policing Command called it a 'totally unwarranted violent assault'

'This was a totally unwarranted violent assault and we urgently need to speak to this man.'

The alleged attacker is described as a tall black man aged approximately 23-25 years with an athletic/muscular build. An image has been released by police of a man wanted in connection with the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 07880 429 486 or on 101, quoting ref CAD 7981/23Aug.

• Do you know either of the men in the video, or were you a witness? Email us at: tips@dailymail.com or antonia.paget@mailonline.co.uk