DETECTIVES are hunting two conmen who attacked an off-duty police officer after he confronted them. The officer was inside a Spar shop near Chelmsford when members of the public came in, complaining their cards had not been returned from the cash machine outside.

DETECTIVES are hunting for two conmen who attacked an off-duty police officer after he confronted them.

The officer was inside a Spar shop near Chelmsford when members of the public came in, complaining their cards had not been returned from the cash machine outside.

The officer, a man in his 30s, inspected the machine and discovered a device had been inserted into the slot to hold the cards so they could be later retrieved by fraudsters.

He challenged two men stood near-by who then punched and kicked him before running off with the device.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident at 6.45pm last Thursday in Warwick Parade, South Woodham Ferrers.

One of the suspects was a white man, 6ft 2ins, medium build and bald. He was wearing a dark blue jacket and jeans.

The second man was white, about 5ft 9ins, stocky, muscular build and wearing light jeans, tan work boots and a cream or white fleece top.

Any witnesses to the incident, members of the public by the cash machine, or anyone with any information, should call police on 01245 320333.