Appeal for witnesses after assault leaves man with exposed skull in Stoneleigh

A man required medical treatment following an assault that left his skull exposed in Stoneleigh on Saturday, 21 September.

We were called to Ardrossan Gardens at approximately 10.15am to reports of two men trying to break into a white Ford Transit van. The victim, a man in his 30’s, had parked his van and was unloading some tools into a nearby property. Just after 10am he returned to the rear of his van and noticed the back doors open which is not as he had left it. He then observed a white transit van parked on the opposite side of the road with its rear doors open and a man who then ran from the rear, got into the front offside seat of the van which immediately started moving forwards.

The victim then turned and saw a second man in the rear of his van holding one of his toolboxes. The second suspect then thrust the toolbox into the victim hitting him in the head and causing the victim to fall to the floor. The suspect then got into the already moving van on the other side of the road, which then drove off at speed down Ardrossan Gardens, Stoneleigh Park Road and onto the Ewell Bypass.

The suspects are described as:

• Man in his early 30’s, Eastern European with tanned white skin, slim build, messy short black hair, 5ft 8in tall and wearing scruffy builders clothes.

• The second man is described as Eastern European with tanned white skin, medium build, early 30's, around 6ft tall, messy scruffy cropped black hair.

Detective Constable Paul Knivett, who is investigating the incident, said: “This would appear to be an opportunistic theft of tools from the victim's van in broad daylight. When the suspects were disturbed, one of them has used violence to make his escape leaving the victim with a nasty head wound which will cause a lasting scar.

“The suspects left in a white transit van driven at speed along Ardrossan Gardens, Stoneleigh Park Road and onto the Ewell Bypass. I would like to hear from anyone that might have got a look at the men in the van or observed the van.”

If you saw what happened, or either of the men in the area please call 101 quoting PR/45190100030.

Alternatively, you can use the online reporting system https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and enter the reference number in the ‘Incident Details’ section.

You can also give information, 100% anonymously, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111; or through their anonymous online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/