A MAN was assaulted in Apperley Bridge as thieves stole the car he was trying to de-ice.

The 32-year-old man had turned on the ignition to his green Lexus at 7.35am, on Friday, January 25 and was de-icing the windows when four youths in a red Rover 214 stopped nearby.

As the man, who lives at Stafford Way, became suspicious of the group, he went into his house and saw one of the group had got out of the Rover and crouched behind it.

The man used his mobile phone to dial 999 and was then approached by the Rover driver who asked the location of a local Asian restaurant.

The other three youths ran towards him and threw him to the ground.

They stole his mobile phone and one of the group got into the Lexus and started to reverse it down the drive.

The victim managed to get to his feet and opened the rear passenger door to rescue his briefcase, but was assaulted again by the group.

Both cars were driven off at speed and the victim was left with minor injuries.

The youths were described as Asian males and the driver was between 20 and 25 years old, 6", slim and wearing blue jeans and a white woollen hat.

The front passenger of the Rover was about 17 years old with short dark hair and wearing a blue tracksuit top.

A third youth was wearing a baseball hat and Burberry patterned scarf.

The youth who drove the Lexus away was in his late teens to early 20s with short dark hair.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Bradford South police on 01274 376459 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.