Two masked men try dragging driver out of his car before assaulting him near Leamington and Warwick

Two masked men tried to drag a driver out of his car near Warwick before assaulting him.

Police believe they also tried to remove items from the boot of the vehicle before making off from the scene in a black Audi.

The attempted car jacking happened at the M40 Warwick services yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, November 3).

A police spokesperson said: "The incident happened some time between 2.45pm and 3pm, when the victim, a man in his 50s, driving a grey Mercedes had parked his vehicle outside the services.

"Two unknown males, wearing masks and dark coloured clothing, are believed to have approached the victim in his vehicle and assaulted him, before attempting to drag him out of it.

"They are also believed to have removed items from the boot of the vehicle before making off from the scene in a black Audi heading southbound on the M40."

The victim sustained minor injuries that did not require hospital treatment.

A 53-year-old man from London has been arrested in connection with this incident on suspicion of money laundering.

Detective Constable Nicola Mort from the Warwickshire Police Serious and Complex Crime Team said: “While investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident, we recognise it will cause alarm and want to reassure the public that we are treating it as an isolated incident with no wider threat to the community.

"The public can expect to see a heightened police presence at the Warwick services while our officers continue to conduct their enquiries.

“We know that a number of people would have been at the services at around the time of the incident so I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dash-cam footage of it to please get in touch.

“We would particularly like to speak to a man and woman who are believed to have been parked behind the grey Mercedes in a dark coloured Mercedes estate vehicle as we think they may have witnessed the incident.

"It could also be that the male occupant who was sat in the passenger side of this vehicle, who is described as white, in his late 60s with grey or white hair and wearing a black coat, may have mobile phone video footage of the incident. If you are this man, I would urge you to get in touch as you may have information that could help with our investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dash-cam footage of it or has information that could help with enquiries is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 196 of 3 November.

Alternatively information can be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org