A SIXTY-five-year-old charity volunteer was hit in the face and dragged from her car in a terrifying carjacking yesterday afternoon.

The Bolton Hospice volunteer was attacked in the car park as she left the charity shop in Astley Bridge.

People from a nearby restaurant and Asda rushed to the scene to help but attacker drove straight at them.

The 'dedicated' volunteer suffered bruising in the attack and has been left severely shocked.

Now Bolton Hospice are appealing for anyone with information to contact police so the "cowardly" attacker can be caught.

Dr Leigh Vallance, Chief Executive of Bolton Hospice (pictured), said: "I am shocked and saddened to report that at just after 4pm yesterday, one of our dedicated charity shop volunteers was attacked on the car park outside our Astley Bridge shop.

"The volunteer had just finished her shift and, as she was getting into her car, she was dragged out of the vehicle, hit in the face and then had her car stolen.

"We understand that people from a nearby restaurant and the Asda store attempted to help and we thank them for that. However the attacker, without any concern for people’s safety, drove at them to force them out of the way."

She added:The volunteer suffered bruising and is severely shocked after this terrible incident.

"The incident was reported to the police who attended and took a statement.

"This was a despicable attack on a woman who gives her time to volunteer to help Bolton Hospice and we are appalled.

"We will do all we can to support her after what was a terrifying ordeal. If anyone can help police to identify this cowardly attacker, we would urge them to do so."

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 4pm on Thursday 17 June, police were called to a report of a theft of a motor vehicle on Hill View Road, Bolton.

 

"A woman in her 60s was dragged out of her green Citroen C4 by a man who made off in the car, which was later found abandoned near to Smithell's farm a couple of hours later.

 

"The victim wasn’t injured but was understandably shaken.

 

"It is believed that the offender stole a phone, bank cards, and £20 in cash from the car.

 

"No arrests have been made and Bolton CID's enquiries are ongoing.

 

"Anyone with information should contact police online, if able, via www.gmp.police.uk or call 101 quoting incident 1982 of 16/06/2021. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."