A staff member at a Tesco Express petrol station in Harpenden was taken to hospital last night after being struck in a hit and run by a vehicle with concealed number plates.

Herts Police have launched an investigation following the collision, which occurred at 7.10pm yesterday (Thursday) at the petrol station on Lower Luton Road in Batford.

A police spokesman said that when a grey Peugeot 407 estate was driven onto the forecourt, another motorist noticed the car’s number plates were obscured with tape and alerted a member of staff.

The vehicle had pulled up to the petrol pump, but had not been filled with fuel.

The representative went on: “The staff member went out to speak to the motorist and that car collided with him and was driven off towards the roundabout that meets Station Road.”

A man in his mid-20s was taken to hospital after sustaining injuries, including bruising and grazes.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance attended the man, who was suffering arm and neck pain.

Police have launched an appeal for information to find the driver, who was believed to be in the vehicle with another man, both Asian and aged from their late 20s to early 40s.

The police spokesman said: “This vehicle will potentially have some damage, particularly to the bonnet, and someone might have noticed that.”

If you have any information on this hit and run please contact the police on non-emergency number 101 (crime reference number F2/14/1744) or Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.