Hooded bandits punched and kicked the operator at the Metro service station on Anderson Drive before making off with his wallet and cash from the till.

The 23-year-old man was closing up about 9.15pm when three males wearing hooded jumpers entered the service station.

One of males demanded money and, when the console operator refused, the three men attacked him.

The operator was forced to the ground, where the trio punched and kicked him.

A fourth man entered the service station and joined in beating the operator.

One of the men was armed with a long-bladed knife.

As the bandits left, the operator threw a stool at them, hitting one of the men in the back of the head.

Police described the men as being aged between 15 and 20 and all were wearing hooded jumpers.

Police were reviewing security footage from the incident yesterday afternoon.

On August 12, a console operator at the Metro service station fended off a knife-brandishing would-be bandit with a broomstick.