POLICE are appealing for information that will help to identify three men who attacked a lorry driver and drove off with a cargo of copper worth £100,000.

The incident happened at 10pm on Tuesday night at Charlwood Ltd in the Portzone at Old Park, Whitfield, near Dover.

The lorry driver was walking towards his lorry when he was approached by two men who dragged him to the side of another lorry and took his keys and mobile phone. He was then hit in the face.

A third man appeared carrying an iron bar. The victim's hands were tied together and he was threatened with the bar.

The robbers then used the tractor unit from the lorry driver’s vehicle to steal the trailer loaded with 26 tonnes of copper.

All three offenders were wearing black ski masks and black clothing.

The stolen lorry and trailer were later discovered in Willow Wood, just west of the A256 near the Tilmanstone roundabout. It is believed the copper has been offloaded somewhere in the South Kent area so the offenders can sell it on.

Police would like to hear from anyone who has seen this copper, or any suspicious behaviour.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact DC Carole Banks on 01304 240055, or Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.