Dunedin police are looking for four men after a 45-year-old man was beaten unconscious in an early morning attack in a residential Mosgiel street.
The victim was walking in Severn St just after midnight on Thursday when he was approached by the men, who were unknown to him, Clutha-Taieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Al Dickie said.
He was beaten unconscious and suffered "quite extensive facial injuries'' as well as other head injuries and injuries to his body, he said.
It was unclear how long the man was unconscious, but when he came to he walked to an acquaintance's house nearby and contacted police the next day.
"We are keeping an open mind as to why it's happened,'' Snr Sgt Dickie said.
"I don't think there's any reason for the locals to be worried about living there.''
The age of the offenders was unknown and the victim could not describe the car they fled the scene in.
However, he recalled one of the men having long dreadlocks and another was described as tall and of solid build.
Snr Sgt Dickie said anyone who witnessed the assault or heard anything in the area late on Wednesday or Thursday morning should contact police.
"I would imagine there was a wee bit of noise going on, so we would be keen to hear from anyone in the street who got up to have a look,'' he said.
The matter was now being dealt with by the Dunedin CIB.
The attack occurred in the same area of the town where there were complaints about drunken teenage parties last year.
● Mosgiel police (03) 489-3534, Crimestoppers 0800 555-111.
