A VAN driver who tried to stop his vehicle being stolen by grabbing onto the door was dragged along and injured after striking a gate post.

The 44-year-old victim has been left with facial injuries and injuries to his abdomen after opportunist thieves struck in what the investigating officer described as an "appalling and unprovoked" attack.

Greater Manchester Police have issued two e-fits of the suspects as part of an appeal for witness and information.

The Bolton News:

The victim was about to get into the driver's seat of his white Ford Transit van parked in Church Street, Westhoughton, opposite Westhoughton Railway Station, when he was attacked by two men.

The robbers took the keys and began to drive the van along Church Street.

Police say the victim attempted to stop the men by grabbing onto the driver’s side door.

He was dragged along for 20 feet before he was flung from the van and collided with a steel gate post.

The Bolton News:

The men continued to drive the van towards Manchester Road and the Transit was recovered a short time later parked in an alleyway close to Manchester Road.

Detective Constable Phil Unsworth, of GMP's Bolton division, said: "This appalling, unprovoked attack has left the victim shaken and with numerous injuries.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who recognises the men in the e-fit images or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact police as soon as possible.”

The incident happened at 1.50pm on Tuesday September 13 and there have been no arrests.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 1289 of 13/09/16, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.