A MEMBER of staff at an Oxfordshire Aldi store was injured while trying to stop a shoplifter stealing a bag of groceries.

The employee did not require hospital treatment, but police are still treating it as an assault.

Now they appealing for eye-wintesses to help track down the thief.

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The offender, a white man in his late twenties, went into the store in Faringdon at about 4.20pm on Thursday last week.

Putting out an appeal today, police said the man was about six feet tall with very short brown hair.

He was wearing black cargo trousers, a navy blue T-shirt, black trainers with a white sole and framed glasses.

Oxford Mail:

He was also carrying a carrier bag.

At 4.42pm the man tried to walk out the store with a bag of products he had taken.

Police said 'a member of staff who attempted to prevent him from leaving the store received an injury to his hand, but did not require hospital treatment'.

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Investigating officer PC Edward Dodd, based at Abingdon Police Station, went on: “There were a number of people in the store at this time and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or who recognises the description of the offender to get in touch.

“You can contact us using our online reporting form, quoting reference number 43200142431.

"If you are unable to report online, you can call the 24-hour non-emergency number 101. However, please note that our waiting times may be longer than usual.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”