A HAMMER-WIELDING would-be car-jacker is being hunted on Teesside.

The youth, who is aged 16 or 17, tried to drag a motorist out of his car, after forcing open the driver's door.

Cleveland Police are appealing for help in tracing the culprit who had stepped into the road, forcing the unnamed driver to brake suddenly in Church Lane, near its junction with Bolckow Road at Grangetown, Middlesbrough, at about 7.20pm Wednesday.

His intended victim, a 21-year-old man, put the blue Ford Orion into reverse, locked the door and drove off. Thwarted, the thug threw the hammer, smashing the car windscreen.

Detective Sergeant Steve Theaker, of Cleveland Police, said: "This was a terrifying incident for the young driver. Fortunately, he was not hurt but he was left very shocked. This was a busy time. There will have been people about and we need to hear from anyone who was in the area."

The youth is described as white, slim and about 5ft 6in. He was wearing a light blue hooded top with a darker blue stripe across the chest. He also had a navy blue or black baseball cap, which was partly covered by his hooded top.

Det Sgt Theaker said the youth was with a number of others but they had no involvement in the attack on the motorist.

Police are checking security cameras but are keen to speak to people who were in the area.

Witnesses are asked to contact police on (01642) 302626.