Woman ‘coward-punched’ by shirtless man in random Melbourne attack

A manhunt is underway after a young woman was coward-punched in the Melbourne CBD yesterday.

The 21-year-old woman was walking along Swanston Street about 1.10pm when an unidentified shirtless man approached her and punched her in the head, Victoria Police believe.

The impact of the punch caused her to fall to the ground and hit the left side of her head.

Investigators are now hunting for the offender, who is described as being Caucasian, slim, 183cm tall and about 45 years old. He has short, light-coloured hair, a beard, and a tattoo on his right arm.

Police have also released a CCTV image from near the scene, and have appealed for public help to identify him.

There is no suggestion that the attack was racially motived, police said after some reports suggested otherwise.

However, Islamophobia Register Australia president Mariam Veiszadeh said racial motivation could not be ruled out because the victim was Muslim and was wearing a hijab at the time.

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene.