A manhunt is today on for masked carjackers who attacked a takeaway delivery driver and stole his vehicle.
The victim was delivering food in the Battle Hill area of Wallsend yesterday when he was attacked by three men, at just before 6.30pm.
The violent trio struck as the driver was making a delivery, on Beaufort Gardens.
They hit him repeatedly before taking the silver Vauxhall Insignia estate car he had been driving and his phone and wallet.
He was not seriously injured.
The men then made their getaway, two in the stolen car and the third in a Ford vehicle.
Police say the stolen Vauxhall was low on fuel when it was taken so the raiders would have had to stop at a petrol station nearby.
And officers probing the attack are now appealing for anyone who saw them, or has any information, to get in touch.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Yesterday at 6.29pm we received a report of an attack on a delivery driver and subsequent theft of his silver Vauxhall Insignia estate while he was delivering to an address in Beaufort Gardens, Wallsend.
“Three masked men attacked the driver, striking him repeatedly, before stealing his phone and wallet.
“They then split up, with two taking the delivery vehicle and the other male making off in a Ford vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 referencing log number 878 020120 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
