The search for a suspect after a teenage girl was bludgeoned with a hammer in Portsmouth has widened to Surrey and London.

The 17-year-old sustained “serious” and “life-changing” head injuries after she was attacked with a hammer in Shearer Road just before 7pm on Monday, April 11.

Her injuries are so severe police have classed the attack as attempted murder.

The suspect is believed to have been around the Commercial Road and Edinburgh Road area on Saturday, April 9, just days before the attack.

Police say they also have reason to believe he was in the Queen Street area of Portsea in Portsmouth between April 9 and 11.

Hampshire Constabulary is offering a £5,000 reward through Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the individual responsible for the attempted murder.

Detective chief inspector Liz Williams said: “We have had a very positive response to our appeals for information so far in Portsmouth but we are continuing to use every opportunity to identify this man.

“Portsmouth is a busy city, which has good transport links to Dorset, Surrey, Sussex and London, and so we're sharing our appeal in those areas and would urge anyone who knows this man to come forward.

“This was a vicious attack on a 17-year-old girl and she has been left with life-changing injuries.

“There is a £5,000 reward on offer for information that leads to a successful prosecution in this case so I would encourage people to look at this CCTV and contact either the police or Crimestoppers.”

Detectives released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the attack.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting Operation Gather, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.