A DRIVER was punched in the face when he attempted to stop a theft from his van on the outskirts of Ringwood.

Police investigating the assault have now issued an e-fit image of his alleged attacker.

Two men walked up to the 39-year-old victim’s van in the layby beside the westbound A31 at Hightown Hill between 10.35am and 10.47am last Tuesday.

One man asked him for directions and the other opened the passenger door and attempted to snatch work equipment from the cab.

The driver tried to stop him and was punched. His spectacles were broken and he suffered minor injuries.

Police say the attackers drove away in a Mercedes Vito van, thought to be painted white with black number plates and silver lettering.

The suspect in the e-fit is said to be aged in his late 30s or early 40s with a strong Irish accent.

He is of proportionate build, has short-cropped, dark hair and was wearing a dark-coloured roll neck polo shirt with white shoulder stripes.

His accomplice is white, aged 20 to 25, with a thin dark moustache and scruffy hair. He was wearing a black jacket.

PC Claire Holmes said it is possible someone may have seen the men or their van.

Contact her on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestopppers line on 0800 555111.