13 August 2012 Last updated at 03:34 ET

Man shot in face in Rye after disturbing thieves

A man has been shot in the face by thieves as he tried to prevent them stealing his pick-up truck in Rye in East Sussex, police said.

When the man disturbed the thieves near his home in Rye Harbour Road they drove a car at him, then shot him with an air rifle before towing his vehicle away.

The 43-year-old is in a stable condition at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.

Police appealed for help in tracing the gang after the "violent attack".

It happened just before midnight on Saturday.

Sussex Police said the victim's Environment Agency Toyota Hilux was found an hour later in Charing, Kent, and is being forensically examined.

Det Con Hannah Willard said: "This was a violent attack and we are doing all we can to trace these men.

"The victim is being treated for pellet wounds to his face and we will be talking to him to get as much information as possible."