FOUR men who kidnapped a pedestrian outside Redbridge Underground station, beat him up and stole his money, are being hunted by Ilford police.

The 23-year-old left the station just after midnight in the early hours of Friday, September 30, and was walking along Roding Lane South when he was targeted.

As he approached the junction with Cobbetts Avenue, a man came out of the wooded area to the west of Roding Lane South and approached the victim. At the same time another man came suddenly from the other side of the road and punched the victim in the face.

The force of the blow knocked the victim to the ground and he heard the sound of a vehicle reversing towards him. Both robbers then grabbed him and hauled him into the back seat of the vehicle, jumping in on either side of him. The second robber then hit him again in the head and face, ordering him to keep his head down.

They took him to a cashpoint by the Longwood roundabout, forced him to reveal his PIN number, and withdrew £50. They then drove to Vista Drive where they returned his wallet and cards, and kicked him out of the car.

The attack left the victim with bruising and swelling of the right eye and a severe nose bleed. The first robber is described as around 5ft 8ins tall, 20 to 25 years old, black, with a slim build, short cropped hair, with a shaved side area and wearing blue jeans. The second robber is also 20 to 25 years old, black, and with short braided hair.

Anyone with information should call DS Trevor Scales at Ilford CID on 8345 2710.