Shifnal petrol attendant punched by thief
A service station attendant has been punched in the head by a petrol thief as he tried to ring police.
Staff at Tong Service Station in Shifnal, Shropshire became suspicious of a lorry which parked near the fuel tanks about 1800 BST on Wednesday.
When a member of staff asked the occupants what they were doing they said they were delivering fuel.
The employee knew this was not true and tried to call police on his mobile. As he was dialling he was punched.
A second member of staff ran out to assist him and the men drove off in the lorry which they abandoned nearby in Lizzard Lane lay-by.
The man who was punched was shaken but not badly hurt, West Mercia Police said.
A red Ford Focus is thought to have been used as their getaway car.
Det Sgt Andy Chatting, said there were a number of people outside The Bell public house, next to the service station, who may have witnessed the robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.