An appeal has been launched into a fight in Hooley, in which a man and a 17 year-old hit each other with a tyre wrench.

The incident, which took place in the Little Chef and Burger King car park just before 5pm, on Sunday, July 7, also saw a car window smashed as the youth and his friends tried to drive away.

The teenager was holding a tyre wrench after checking the bolts on his car wheel and was standing with a group of friends by the Burger King fire exit when he apparently became involved in a row with the man, who was standing close to the tills in the restaurant.

The incident then escalated when a struggle between the man and youth, at the back of the restaurant, led to them landing blows on each other with the wrench, leaving the youth with cuts to his head.

As the teenager and his friends tried to make off in a car, their front passenger window was smashed with the wrench.

Police describe the man, who then got into a burgundy Peugeot 406 Coupe, as being black, around 25 years old, 5ft 11ins, of big build, and having shaved hair. He was wearing a black swirly grey patterned shirt.

Police want to speak to the man to find out more about the row, or from anyone at the restaurant at the time who may have heard shouting or seen the struggle.

Anyone with any information should contact DC Paul Langley at Reigate Police Station on 01737 765040, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, if you prefer to remain anonymous.

July 12, 2002 10:30