An 81-year-old woman was hit in the face when she was attacked by a "happy slapper", police have said. The woman, from Sidcup, Kent, was smacked in the face in front of a group of teenagers in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
She was walking to her husband and son after visiting a chemist's when a youth slapped her hard on the cheek and poured a drink over her.
A friend of the youth captured the attack on a mobile phone while being watched by girls on a nearby bus.
The term "happy slapping" describes an attack captured on video mobile phone.
'Extremely shaken'
A passer-by stopped to clean the drink off the woman, who was not seriously injured but left "extremely shaken".
The incident took place last Friday during lunchtime on the city's Fisherton Street, but was only reported by the woman's son to his local police on Monday.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "We are appalled by this attack by youths on an elderly woman. For this to happen in Wiltshire, let alone the cathedral city of Salisbury, is unthinkable.
"We are appealing for the young people who saw it to examine their consciences and contact police."
The phenomenon was first reported in south London about six months ago, and similar incidents have been reported across the country.
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