A VAN driver was hit over the head with a metal bar by two robbers who forced him to stop in the middle of the road.
The man, who is in his 20s, was driving along Greensted Road, Ongar, shortly after 3pm on Tuesday when the white Fiat Scudo swerved in front of his vehicle near the junction with Fairfield Road.
The robbers jumped out, smashed the windows on both sides of his van and ordered him to hand over any valuables.
When he refused, they hit him several times over the head.
He escaped his attackers and ran towards the junction of Coopers Hill and High Street, while they stole his phone and van keys and drove in their van towards Toot Hill.
The man, who is from Ongar, was treated at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow for head injuries before being allowed home.
Detective Constable Liz Young said: “This was an extremely vicious robbery which happened at a time when the area would have been busy with cars and pedestrians.”
Witnesses or anyone who saw the Scudo van in the area before the attack should call Det Con Young at the Harlow Target Offender Team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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