A driver was attacked and robbed in broad daylight at a busy Weymouth junction.

On Saturday (October 20) a man punched a driver, tried to pull him from his vehicle before stealing his wallet in a "shocking" daylight robbery.

The victim - a local man aged in his 40s - was driving his blue Ford Fiesta when he stopped at the traffic lights at the junction of Abbotsbury Road and Weymouth Way at around 10am.

A man approached his car from behind, opened the driver's door and punched the victim in the face.

The offender then tried to pull the victim from the car, but was prevented by the seatbelt.

The victim's wallet fell from his pocket and the man picked it up before walking away.

The offender is described as black, aged in his late 30s or early 40s, around six feet two inches tall and of medium build. He had short curly black hair with grey stubble and was wearing a black bomber jacket, dark jeans and white trainers.

The victim did not require medical treatment.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, councillor Gill Taylor said she was "shocked" and "appalled" to hear about incident.

"We don't normally get this sort of crime in Weymouth," Cllr Taylor said. "I hope the driver is OK and recovers quickly not just from the physical injuries but the mental effects this sort of thing has on people.

"I'm absolutely shocked. Weymouth is a fairly safe place to be and personally I am never scared walking or driving at any time of day or night."

Cllr Taylor added she had driven across the junction herself about an hour before the incident.

"I use the junction regularly and I have never thought twice or been worried at all. It's appalling," she said.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Police Constable Darren Tharme, of Weymouth Police, said it was a very distressing incident for the victim and police were determined to identify the man responsible.

"This was a particularly busy time of the day and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area around the time to please come forward," PC Tharme said. "If you were driving in the area and have dashcam fitted to your vehicle, I would ask you to review this and please contact us if you have any relevant material."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.