A robber injured a man with a metal pole after he was caught stealing tools from their van.

The attacker left the man, aged in his fifties, with cuts and bruising to his face which needed hospital treatment.

Police are searching for the offender and the Ford Fiesta van he escaped in.

He is described as a white man, approximately 5ft 6ins tall, of stocky build, wearing a red bobble hat and blue jacket.

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At around 4.15pm on Tuesday he blocked the victim’s van with his own in Ashdown car park, Lambourn.

When the victim returned to his van, he approached the open door of the Fiesta and saw a man with tools that he believed had come from his van and spoke to the man.

The man swung a metal pole at the victim which the he blocked with his hand.

The offender then hit the victim over the head with the pole.

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Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference 43210495370.

Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.