POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was dragged out of a car, robbed and beaten.

At around 4am on Sunday, an 18-year-old man was in Cricklade Road when a vehicle, believed to be silver or grey, stopped nearby.

The occupants of the vehicle then offered him a lift which the man accepted. After driving for five to ten minutes, the car stopped and two passengers dragged the victim onto the roadside, while a third man took his mobile phone and cash.

He was then assaulted and left by the side of Cricklade Road, where he was found by a passerby who contacted police.

The vehicle involved was carrying four men and was initially travelling from Pinehurst to the town centre.

Detective Constable Phil Walker said: “This is a very unusual incident. “Fortunately the victim was not seriously hurt, but robbery is an extremely serious offence and I am keen to identify the offenders as quickly as possible.

“I believe there were a number of people passing through this area on foot making their way home and I would therefore like to hear from anyone who may know the identity of the offenders or who was in the area at the time and may have seen or heard anything suspicious.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Walker at Gablecross Police Station on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.