KENT Police are appealing for witnesses after a driver was flagged down by a man who then attempted to steal his car.

The incident happened as the 21-year-old motorist was driving down Spenser Road, Herne Bay, towards Canterbury Road.

As he approached the junction he saw a man on the nearside pavement signalling him to stop.

As he did so, and wound down the window, the man reached in and grabbed the driver’s collar telling him to get out of the car. At this point he realised the man was trying to steal his car so he got out and ran at him, knocking him to the ground.

The driver then got back into his car, locked the windows and drove off. He then telephoned the police.

During the incident, at about 9.30pm on Wednesday, May 30, the driver, from Herne Bay, received a small puncture wound to his left thigh and after police attended he was treated in hospital in Margate. Police say it is not clear what caused the wound.

The offender is described as white, about 5ft 9ins tall and aged in his 20s. He had a tanned complexion and a black goatee beard and black hair. He was wearing dark tracksuit bottoms and a dark blue hooded top with a Nike logo on the front.

Anyone with information is urged to ring PC Pete Rangeley on 01227 762055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.