A YOUNG woman was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose after being repeatedly punched and kicked by a robber who stole her car.

The 25-year-old had just got out of the driver's seat of her silver BMW 116 in Rous Road, Buckhurst Hill, while visiting her boyfriend yesterday (Tuesday) when she noticed a man walking quickly towards her.

He punched her in the head and face about 10 times until she fell to the ground and kicked her as she lay on the floor.

He demanded her car keys and climbed into the driver's seat, while another man got in the passenger's side of the car before it sped off along Lounghton Way, heading towards Valley Hill.

Doctors believe the woman's nose was broken in the ordeal and she was also treated for other facial injuries at Whipps Cross Hospital.

Detective constable Tom Dinsdale at Waltham Abbey CID said: “This was an appalling attack on a young woman. There was absolutely no need for this level of violence to be used.

“We think it was an opportunistic crime and want to hear from anyone who saw the men loitering in the area. We also want to hear from anyone who saw the incident or saw the car being driven away at speed.”

The man who attacked the woman is described as black, about 6ft tall, slim and in his 20s, wearing a dark hoodie with a cream or beige rim around the top of the hood, dark trousers and trainers.

The other man is also described as black, of large build and wearing a beige hoodie and dark trousers.

Witnesses should call DC Dinsdale on 0300 3334444.