ROBBERS who targeted a Royal Mail delivery van were forced to flee empty handed when the brave driver fought back despite being hit repeatedly with a metal bar. The heroic postman needed five stitches to his head after the six men struck on Monday evening

ROBBERS who targeted a Royal Mail delivery van were forced to flee empty handed when the brave driver fought back despite being hit repeatedly with a metal bar.

The heroic postman needed five stitches to his head after the six men struck on Monday evening.

The 25-year-old was attacked by the gang as he pulled out of Portnall Road, Maida vale, turning into Kilburn Lane, at 6.30pm.

Four white man, wearing grey hooded tops, ambushed the van from behind while two black men, dressed identically to their accomplices, also approached the vehicle and smashed the nearside and offside windows with metal bar.

The postman locked his door, but the gang tried to drag him through the window and grab his keys from the ignition. Even though they repeatedly hit him over the head with metal bars, he stood his ground and when shocked passers-by realised what was going on they fled in two cars.

Det Sgt Glenn Butler, from the Westminster Robbery Squad, is leading the hunt for the gang, he said: "This was not a usual robbery.

"The driver was doing his usual collections from post offices and businesses and there nothing but normal post and special delivery items. There was nothing of high value.

"We are trying to work out if they wanted to steal the van or its contents."

As The Times went to press, investigating officers were trying to establish if the attempted robbery was captured on CCTV and if so they will trawl through footage to try and identify the suspects.

DS Butler said he advised Royal Mail bosses to step up security as the festive season approaches. The gang made their getaway in a silver VW Golf, described as having Audi alloy wheels, and a red VW Golf with a N-registration plate.

Appealing for anyone with information to come forward, DS Butler said: "This was a violent attack.

"If you have any information about the whereabouts of these vehicles then please call us in the incident room or Crimestoppers."

Call DS Butler on 020 7321 6719 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.