Police have released a description of a man who attempted to snatch a dog in popular Potters Bar parkland.

A 23-year-old Potters Bar resident was assaulted while attempting to stop a man who had caught his dog in Furzefield Wood earlier this month, before unconfirmed reports on social media of a similar incident in the same area a few days later.

A police spokesperson said: “The offender is described as having olive skin, around 6ft 2 tall, is of large, stocky build and has a goatee with shorter stubble on the rest of his face.

“He was wearing a dark navy blue Adidas coat with black stripes down the side and gloves.

“Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/12389/19.”

READ MORE: Dog snatcher in popular Potters Bar parkland has owners on alert

The assault occurred around 11.30am on Saturday, February 2.

The victim, who spoke with Welwyn Hatfield Times after the incident, suffered bruising and scratches in the altercation.

The police spokesperson said: “The victim, a man in his 20s, was walking his dog in the King George V playing fields and as he jogged towards Furzefield Woods he saw a man holding his dog, a border terrier, under his arm and a large broomstick with a hoop on the end in his other hand.

“The man wouldn’t let the dog go, but eventually the victim managed to free the dog from the offender’s arm.

“The offender then started to hit the victim with the broomstick. The victim managed to run away with his dog.

“The offender was seen running towards a pathway on the right hand side of the woods that leads to an industrial estate.”