Police investigating an incident where a three year-old boy was bitten by a dog in Southend have released an e-fit image of a woman they want to speak to.

It happened as the boy and his grandmother were walking along Marine Parade at around 1.35pm on Thursday, April 6.

As they did they passed a woman who was walking three dogs.

One of the dogs then bit the victim.

The woman stopped to speak to the victim’s grandmother but refused to give her any details and became verbally abusive.

She is described as white, in her 50s, with shoulder length hair which had been dyed dark red, and wearing a white t-shirt and a tracksuit with the tracksuit top tied around her waist.

Anyone who recognises the description of the woman, or the image that has been released, is asked to contact Pc Dave Thompson at Southend police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.