Police are appealing for witnesses after a motorist was attacked with a noxious substance in Bromley-by-Bow during a car-jacking when his Audi was stolen.

East London Advertiser: The car was found abandoned in Bluebell Avenue, East Ham. Picture: GOOGLEThe car was found abandoned in Bluebell Avenue, East Ham. Picture: GOOGLE (Image: Google)

The motorist, in his 20s, was sprayed in the face after his Audi S3 was rammed from behind in Whitethorn Street, off Devons Road, at 4.40pm on Good Friday.

The Audi, registration J111 WVS, was found abandoned on Sunday four miles away at Bluebell Avenue in East Ham.

The attack in Whitethorn Street happened after he got out to see the damage when one of the men from the vehicle behind sprayed him in the face, then drove off in his car with the second vehicle following.

The motorist managed to flag down a passing police car and was taken to hospital, but his injuries are not believed to be permanent.

“This was a shocking attack in broad daylight in the middle of a busy street,” Det Con Tom Lockwood said. “Thankfully the injuries don’t appear serious, but the man is understandably shaken by this incident.”

The other vehicle was said to be “a white 4x4-type car” and the suspect who attacked the man was described as a black.

They are appealing for witnesses who may have been in Whitethorn Street on Friday afternoon or anybody who saw the victim’s vehicle being driven in Bluebell Avenue, or anyone with information, to contact Tower Hamlets CID via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. There have been no arrests.