A VAN driver was robbed by a man armed with a machete in Widnes at the weekend.

The 49-year-old victim was in the driver’s seat of his vehicle outside Upton Community Centre on Hough Green Road when he was attacked shortly after 11pm on Saturday, February 8.

He was then approached by a man wearing a motorbike helmet, who opened the door of the van and demanded cash.

Not realising that the robber was carrying a machete, the victim got out of his vehicle in order to confront him.

The attacker stole a black sports bag after an ensuing altercation before jumping onto the back of a moped being ridden by another man, which then drove away in the direction of Netherley Road.

While the victim, from Merseyside, drove himself to hospital after suffering a facial injury, he has since been discharged.

Detective constable Tracey Short said: “This was a terrifying incident that left the victim with a facial injury and extremely shaken up.

“I would like to reassure residents that this is believed to have been an isolated incident, and we are doing everything we can to establish the identities of both the man who carried out the robbery and the getaway rider.

“The man who robbed and assaulted the victim was white and around 5’ 10” tall with a proportionate built.

“He is estimated to be aged in his late teens or early 20s, had dark eyebrows and was wearing all black clothing, including the motorbike helmet – he had a snood on and his hood was up underneath the helmet.

“As part of our ongoing enquiries, we are appealing for anyone who believes they may know the identity of the man to get in touch with us at Widnes Police Station.

“We also want to speak to anyone who was in the area and witnessed, or has CCTV or dashcam footage of, anything that may help our investigation.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML632425, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.