THIEVES attacked a man and stole a blue Subaru Impreza worth £25,000 from outside a shop in Holt Heath.

Two men pushed Christopher Kelsey, a civil engineer from Rednal, against the driver's door as he went to get in the vehicle. As he fell, a window broke and the thieves stole his car keys. One of the men then kicked him in the back, ordering him to go back into the Spar store, before they sped off in the direction of Tenbury Wells.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at around 6.50pm on May 18. But officers are keen to reassure residents they do not believe Worcestershire is becoming a target for professional carjackers.

A force spokesman said: "While there is a possibility this car may have been followed, vehicle thefts of this type are very uncommon here. There is nothing to suggest there is a trend here."

Manager of the Spar shop in Holt Heath, Mac Sandhar, said: "The man returned to the shop after the incident with a slight cut to his hand. He was clearly shocked and shaken by the incident and I called the police. It's quite surprising and unusual for something like this to happen in our area."

Police have issued descriptions of the two men, one white and one black, both in their early 20s. The white male had short, gelled black hair and was wearing jeans and a blue T-shirt. He pulled the shirt over his face as the car was driven off by the second man, who wore jeans and a light T-shirt. Anyone with information can call 08457 444888, quoting 154C/180504.