Van Driver Injured In Cigarette Theft

A Southampton delivery man’s been attacked after trying to stop a thief from making off with a large amount of cigarettes.

The driver found a man in his van, removing around £2,000 worth of Royals, Mayfair and Sovereign cigarettes.  

The robbery happened during a delivery to McColl’s newsagents on Rownhams Road in Southampton at around 10am on Wednesday, 6 July.

The van driver tried to restrain him but the thief punched him in the mouth several times, leaving him with bruises and a split lip before he fled in another vehicle which was carrying three other people.

The offender is described as white, aged 35 to 45, 6ft 2ins tall and of slim build. He was unshaven and had long, untidy light/blonde hair with a small pony tail.  He was wearing a light blue shell suit-style top, blue jeans and trainers.

Police are appealing for witnesses, or anyone who has information about the offender or anyone selling the cigarette brands cheaply.  Anyone with information should phone DC Tim Judd at Shirley CID on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity line anonymously on 0800 555 111.