Witness Appeal To Tong Service Station Robbery

Police are appealing for witnesses after a service station attendant was punched in the head during a robbery in which fuel was stolen near Shifnal.

Officers were called to Tong Service Station on the A41 after staff became suspicious of a blue, curtain-sided HGV near the storage tanks between about 6pm and 6.20pm yesterday (1 September).

When approached by a member of staff, one of the lorry's occupants claimed to be delivering fuel but, knowing that was not the case, the victim began to call the police.

He was then hit on the head by the offender, who tried to grab the phone from him. When a second staff member ran out, the driver got back in the vehicle and made off. Fortunately, the victim was not injured but both staff were left shaken by the incident.

A search was carried out by officers when they arrived a few minutes later and the lorry was found abandoned in a lay-by in Lizard Lane, Shifnal. It has been recovered by police for forensic examination, along with the stolen fuel.

The offenders are thought to have made off in a red Ford Focus car. There were at least two, possibly three men involved.

One of the men is described as white, about 5ft 7in in height and of muscular build. He had a shaved or bald head and was wearing a dark T-shirt, blue industrial trousers, black boots and a yellow high-visibility jacket.

Another of the offenders is also described as white, about 5ft 11in in height and with very short or shaved hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt and army-style cargo bottoms.

Detective Sergeant Andy Chatting, of Shropshire Division CID, appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact police on 0300 333 3000.

"There were a number of people outside The Bell public house, which is right next to the service station, when the robbery took place," he said.

"I would urge those people, along with anyone else who may have seen what happened or either the lorry or the red Ford shortly before or after the robbery to please contact police as a matter of urgency as they may have important information," he said.

"We are following up a number of lines of enquiry, including the examination of CCTV footage and forensic work, but the help of the public can prove crucial in such investigations.

"If you saw what happened or have information but do not want to be identified, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. This organisation is independent from the police and completely anonymous, so operators will not even ask for your name."

Any witnesses are asked to contact West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.

Issued: Thursday 3 September 2010