A MAN was beaten in the street and trapped handcuffed in a van as robbers rifled through his clothes for his cash and credit cards.

The attack happened as the man was walking down Barth Road, Plumstead, at 5.30pm on December 11.

Two men pulled him into a waiting van where a third man was waiting.

His coat was pulled over his head, to prevent him seeing his attackers, before they handcuffed him, taped his eyes, and took the contents of his wallet.

The van, a white Toyota Hiace, was then driven to Glynde Road, Bexleyheath, where it was abandoned with the victim still inside.

He managed to escape from the van, registration T840JGY, and hail a passer-by who alerted the emergency services.

Police are looking for two black and one white man. One was wearing a navy blue anorak with hood, which was pulled tightly round his face. The white male was wearing a tracksuit top.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the van between 5.45pm and 5.15pm, in Glynde Road, to call Greenwich police station on 020 82845327.

December 19, 2001 16:30