FELIXSTOWE: Security is to be stepped up after a petrol filling station worker was injured after he was attacked by a gang of four men as they robbed a forecourt shop.

The 32-year-old shop assistant was struck on the head by one of the robbers while the other thieves grabbed cigarettes and tobacco from shelves behind the counter at the BP petrol station in Anzani Avenue, Felixstowe.

Costi Michaelises, of Motor Fuel Group plc, which runs the filling station, said: “All the staff are very shaken – we have never had anyone attacked before.

“I cannot understand why they did that.

“They could just have held him while they robbed the place. It was so vicious.”

The worker had been sent to hospital for a check-up but was not thought to have suffered serious injury.

“They got away with about �200 of stock – was it really worth it?” said Mr Michaelises.

The robbery at the filling station, which is usually busy with lorry drivers coming and going, only took seconds. It is not known if the robbers left on foot or in a vehicle.

“We are now reviewing our security and may have to close for times at night,” he added.

“We have a serving hatch but our customers prefer to come in and look round and decide what to buy. Now we may have to make changes.”

Suffolk police said the raid happened at 12.40am yesterday.

One of the offenders was described as white, in his late teens to early 20s, around 5ft 10ins tall and of medium build.

He wore a green army-style jacket and black trousers and had a black rucksack-style bag on his back. His face was partially covered.

The others all wore dark coloured clothing with hoods up and their faces partially covered.

Anyone who was in the area around that time who may have seen the men, or anyone who has information about who they are, should call Felixstowe CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if required, on 0800 555111.

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