A dog walker was left with serious injuries to her face when she was attacked while out walking her dog.
Police are hunting those responsible for the 'cowardly' attack on Killisick Park in Arnold.
The victim said she felt a 'thud' on the back of her head and that she fell forward on her face during the incident which happened around 7pm on Friday, January 14.
The woman was struck several times to her face and suffered facial injuries.
The woman did not see the attacker and so police do not have a description of the culprits.
Police patrols have been stepped up - and officers have appealed for witnesses to come forward with information.
Dog walkers said they were 'mortified' to hear what happened and spoke of the wider issues in the area.
Richard Millett, 55, walks his dog at the park each day - but he said he wouldn't do so at night.
"I've seen drug paraphernalia over in one corner," the Arnold resident said, saying more lighting was needed.
"There have been some lads smoking weed here, too. I think it does need some more lighting, even if it's just on one side of the park.
"It's definitely worrying - this is the best place to walk the dog around here, which is why it is so popular.
"It's absolutely mortifying to hear about."
Meanwhile, David Fitzgerald, who was out walking his dog in the park on Wednesday (January 19), said: "To hear about a woman on her own being attacked here is obviously awful.
"There are some horrible people out there, unfortunately. I always feel pretty safe here.
"But obviously if there was CCTV there, you'd have a better chance of catching these people, which would be a good thing."
Police said the attack was very "out of character" for the area.
Neighbourhood policing inspector Chris Jury, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are working hard and pursuing lines of enquiry to find those responsible for this cowardly attack.
“While our enquiries into this isolated incident remain ongoing, we have increased our patrols in the park and surrounding area to provide reassurance to the public and show people that we are there for them. Our colleagues at Gedling Borough Council have also put extra neighbourhood warden patrols into the area.
“The victim did not see her attacker and no voices were heard so, unfortunately, we currently have no description of the offender.
“We are however appealing for anyone who was in the area around the time and who may have seen or heard anything, or may have any other information which could assist us with our enquiries, to please get in touch with us.
“Our investigation is progressing to understand the motive for this attack and to get a clearer understanding of the circumstances. At this time there is no suggestion the offender attempted to steal the woman’s dog.
“Thankfully assaults such as this are very rare in Arnold.
"This type of incident is very much unusual and out of character for the park but I’d like to reassure people that we are treating it very seriously and we will continue to do everything we can to keep people safe.”
Councillor Henry Wheeler, who represents the Coppice ward for Labour on Gedling Borough Council, said he'd been left angry and upset by what happened.
"I have been calling for CCTV to be put on the park for sometime now, and I have been told that this will be put in place on the park this year," he said.
"I will also be contacting the Police Crime Commissioner about what plans they have if any on community safety."
Anyone who has any information about the assault is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 603 of January 14.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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