Police are appealing after a teenager was allegedly followed by a group of men carrying weapons, assaulted and then had his car stolen.

Detectives from Cleveland Police, who are investigating the incident, say that the victim, an 18-year-old man, was driving his Ford Fiesta along Beverley Road in Middlesbrough around 8.50pm on Thursday (March 13) when he was stopped by a group of men who were reportedly in possession of weapons, including a sledgehammer.

According to police, they tried to prevent the man from driving away, and when he did, the group pursued the victim in a vehicle.

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They came to a stop on Saltersgill Avenue near Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, and the victim, who had two younger passengers in the car, told them to run for safety.

The man remained with his car when he was approached by one of the men, who allegedly assaulted him by punching him in the face and then drove away in the victim’s car.

Police have asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone who may have further information to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number SE25044319.​