A COUPLE posing as customers assaulted a car salesman before snatching a vehicle from the forecourt of a Hopwood garage.

It happened at Stratons of Worcestershire between 3.20-3.30pm last Saturday.

The couple viewed several cars with the salesman and when all the customers left they asked to look at a silver VW Golf SE TDi registered T504 HRA.

The salesman got the keys and went to the car which was outside on the forecourt.

The man then pushed the salesman over, snatched the keys and drove off in the car, worth £10,000, along the A441 towards Birmingham.

The man was described as having mixed parentage with light skin, more Caribbean descent than Asian, with a slightly wider nose and high cheek bones.

He was of slim build, about 5ft 8ins tall with short dark, but not black, hair with a slight curl. He had a moustache and a goatee wisp on his chin.

The woman was white, aged about 18, about 5ft 5ins tall and a little overweight.

She had dark red tinted hair and her face was described as soft, round and angelic looking.

She had a turquoise and dark blue tattoo on her left breast.

Police want to speak to a male customer talking to the salesman when the couple arrived and interrupted them.

An hour earlier, a man and woman of similar description stole a silver Peugeot 206 from Startin Motors on Far Moor Lane, Winyates Green.

They walked into the showroom and asked to look at the car, registration V534 HNP.

The salesman handed the man the keys and turned to speak to another customer.

The couple then drove off at speed towards Birmingham on the Coventry Highway.

The for sale sign on the car was thrown off as they drove away and forensic tests are now being carried out on it.

A police spokesman said: "Officers are examining the possibility this offence is linked to the one at Stratons."

Anyone with information can call 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.