The victim of an unprovoked assault by eight men in Borehamwood said it has made him consider moving away from the area.

Alan Butler, 28, of Grove Road, Borehamwood, and his 27-year-old friend were walking along Crown Road at around 1.15am after a party, when they were attacked by a group of eight men.

The assault left both victims needing hospital treatment. Mr Butler suffered facial and head injuries and his friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, had his jaw fractured in four places.

“When the men first approached us it seemed friendly to start with and we said happy new year to them,” Mr Butler explained.

“Then one of them asked if we smoked and if we had a lighter. When I said no, the next thing I can remember is being punched in the face.”

Mr Butler, a former volunteer special constable, said he was repeatedly punched and his friend fell to the ground where he was kicked in the face and was left covered in blood.

The pair were taken to Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, and Mr Butler’s friend was later moved to Chase Farm Hospital, in Enfield, where he had an operation to reset his jaw bone.

Mr Butler said: “At the time it felt like it lasted about 20 minutes but it could not have been much more than five. In my whole 28 years I have never been punched until now.

“It was a sudden sharp pain and I only really realised what was happening after the third or fourth time. I didn’t feel anything but shock until I got to the hospital.”

Police have released descriptions of two of the attackers. One was slim, white, around 5ft 7in to 5ft 9in, with short spiky dark brown hair. He was wearing a coloured top with two striped bars on it and looked about 17 years old.

The other was white, about 6ft and about 19 years old. He was wearing a grey hooded top and a white beanie hat.

Mr Butler said: “They must have been out looking for a fight and wanting some violence. I will be more nervous now if I see a group of lads out again.

“It has made me question whether I should still be in Borehamwood because it is not the place I remember when I was growing up.

“My friend is going to be left with a scar on his face. I just want to know why they decided to do it — did they think it was fun?”

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Mark Clawson, said: “I am urging anyone who saw the assaults take place or who knows anything about them to please come forward and assist police inquiries. You may hold key information, which could prove vital to the investigation.”

Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222 quoting crime reference number J1/09/03 and J1/09/04 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”