A man armed with a pair of scissors lashed out at a female police officer and a pedestrian in Hendon.

The patrolling Police Community Support Officer was attacked at 6pm in Shirehall Lane on Saturday in what is thought to have been an unprovoked attack.

The PCSO and other officers chased after the man, who lashed out at a member of the public as he attempted to run away.

A 27-year-old man from Hendon was arrested for assault and has been bailed to return to a north London police station on April 22.

He was assessed by the Mental Health Assessment Team which has arranged for his detention and treatment under the Mental Health Act. 

The PCSO's stab resistant vest was punctured in the attack but she was not injured.

Barnet Police are appealing for help to trace the victim, who officers could not locate following the incident.

Officer Kim Soekoe said: "We would ask the man who was apparently the victim of an assault to contact police as soon as possible. This man is an important witness and more importantly we wish to confirm that he has not come to any harm."

The victim is described as a white man between 30-40 years old and was walking in the vicinity of Sentinel Square and the alleyway leading to Belle Vue Road.