A dad and son were taken to hospital after being attacked with a machete on a bus when they tried to recover a stolen coat in Purley.

Police have now released CCTV images and are appealing to the public for further information following the robbery and GBH attack.

The 15-year-old victim was followed by an older boy on Brighton Road at about 5.15pm on November 17, 2022.

The suspect threatened to hurt him if he did not hand over his coat, so he agreed.

The victim went home and informed his family of what happened - before he and his mum drove around the area looking for the suspect.

They found him near Purely Station wearing the jacket and called the victim’s father.

The family went to confront the suspect, who fled through alleyways until he arrived at Victoria Road where he boarded a bus.

The dad and son managed to stop the bus and boarded.

A fight then unfolded where the suspect attacked the father and son with a large machete.

The dad received cuts to his hands and leg and the son received serious injuries to his hand – both were taken to hospital.

The suspect fled the area.

Police described him as black, aged between 15 to 17, five foot 11 inches and had stubble on his chin.

If you any further information about the incident, contact police quoting crime reference number CAD 5488/17NOV.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police are releasing an image of a man they want to trace following a robbery and GBH in Purley.

“The incident is alleged to have happened at about 5:15pm on Thursday, 17 November 2022 on Brighton Road, Purley.

“A 15-year-old boy was followed and then approached by an older boy, who threatened him with violence if he did not hand over his coat, which he did.

“Following the robbery the victim went home and he and his mother drove around the area looking for the suspect, finding him near Purley Station.

“They then called his father who went to the station where the suspect was seen on the platform wearing the stolen jacket.

“They went to confront the suspect who ran off through alleys until he arrived at Victoria Road, where he boarded a bus.

“The father and his son managed to stop and get onto the bus and a fight ensued.

“During the fight the suspect produced a large machete and the victim's father received cuts to his hands and leg and the son received serious injuries to his hand.

“Both were treated in hospital, the injuries were not life changing.

“The suspect then ran off.

“He is described as black, aged 15 to 17, 5ft 11ins and had stubble on his chin.

“Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 5488/17NOV.

“To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.”