CCTV footage of an assault on an Invercargill speed camera operator last month will be aired on television tonight (19 May).

Police are hoping the footage, to be played on TV2's Ten 7 show at 7.30pm tonight, will help identify the person responsible.

The assault happened on the evening of Friday 29 April while the speed camera operator was on duty in a van on Dee Street.

The back window of their van was smashed and the offender used a waratah (heavy steel post) to strike the operator in the lower back, causing further soft-tissue injuries.

The victim was subsequently treated at hospital.

Police are hoping to identify a person seen riding a motorcycle in CCTV footage through central Invercargill before the assault, as investigations to date have determined the offender was wearing a motorcycle helmet.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark McCloy said the serious assault was unprovoked and on a member of the public who was just doing their job.

“We’re hoping members of the community can help us with information which will track down the person responsible, as Police want to hold them to account,” he said.

Police are asking people to please watch TV2's Ten 7 Aotearoa tonight at 7:30pm and to get in touch with them if they have any information.