A 63-YEAR-OLD woman told of her horror after coming face-to-face with her attacker just a week after being hit over the head.

Barbara Fisher, from Southend, was sitting on a bus on her way to visit her mother when she felt a blow to the head.

The unprovoked attack, which took place as the bus passed Warrior Square, Southend, left her feeling scared to go out along.

Ms Fisher said: “I couldn’t believe it. I was minding my own business and this man whacked me over the head.

“I would have almost forgiven him but then he gave me a really rude gesture when he got off the bus.

“It was awful. I am quite a strong woman but the whole thing just made me shake, I couldn’t even talk.

“I am a vulnerable lady on my own, I didn’t provoke him in any way and didn’t deserve to be attacked.

“I got off the bus at the next stop and quickly went into a shop to use their phone to call the police. They were quite good when I told them what had happened and asked me if I needed to go to hospital.

“It really shook me up. I was really nervous for days after it happened and I had a couple bad health turns because of it.”

Just a week later Ms Fisher claims she saw her attacker while shopping in Sainsbury’s, in London Road, Southend.

She said: “When I saw him again, I couldn’t believe it. I was so scared. I kept my distance but called the police straight away.

“They didn’t come for an hour, which really made me angry, so of course they didn’t catch him.”

Ms Fisher added: “He is a dangerous man and still walking the streets.

“I am telling everyone about what happened to me so that they are aware of the dangers.

“I have lived in Southend my whole life but the level of crime is disgusting now.

“Elderly people are scared and frightened because they don’t feel safe. You never see police on the High Street or the seafront anymore.

“I am scared to get on buses now, in case something like this happens again and that’s not right.”

Essex Police has reduced PCSOs and closed stations as it anticipates cuts of about £63 million by 2019 to 2020.

A force spokesman said: “We are investigating reports a woman was assaulted on a bus in Warrior Square. The woman, aged in her sixties, was struck to the back of the head by a passenger who got off the bus.

“The suspect also made an obscene gesture to the woman as he walked past the bus.

“Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.”