A woman has been hospitalised after a man went on a violent rampage in the town centre.

The attacker randomly punched six men and women as he walked through the streets.

A 42-year-old woman was left with a swollen eye and cuts to her face and the back of her head and was taken to hospital where she remains.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said because the attacks came "out of the blue" there may be more people who were assaulted who have not reported it to the police.

The man had left the Hope Tap pub with two friends in Friar Street at around 5.15pm Wednesday evening before heading down West Street where he punched three different people for no apparent reason.

The second assault took place outside the Coconut Bar and Kitchen and another two residents were hit in the graveyard of Reading Minster.

Sergeant Chris Wood said: “All of these attacks were completely unprovoked and some have caused injuries to the victims. All the victims were commuters, families or friends who were walking around, going about their business when they were attacked completely out of the blue. None of the victims knew the offender or had any previous dealings with him. At this time there are six confirmed victims of this man’s attacks, but it is believed there will be more victims who as yet have not come forward."

The attacker is described as is 5ft 11ins, mixed race, stocky, with short dark hair, piercings in both ears, a tattoo on his right forearm and some facial stubble.

He was said to be wearing a dark navy blue jacket, dark navy blue tracksuit jacket, a light blue polo shirt, blue jeans, black trainers and had a beige belt with a grey buckle.

* A 28-year-old man from Reading has been arrested in connection with the assault and remains in custody.