A MAN has been robbed after going to the aid of a woman "in distress" who may have been part of the ploy.

The victim, in his 40s, was robbed by three men on Thomas Lewis Way just after 5am on Tuesday.

The man was driving his van along Thomas Lewis Way towards Southampton when he noticed a woman with two men in distress on the side of the road.

Wanting to help her, he stopped at the junction of Empress Road and Horseshoe Bridge and got out of his vehicle to ask if she was ok.

As he did so another man appeared and all three men assaulted the man and stole his wallet and mobile phone.

The man managed to get back into his van and drive away.

The man suffered injuries to his face and neck.

Officers investigating the case would like to hear from anyone who was driving along Thomas Lewis Way at this time on Tuesday morning who may have seen this incident, or may have seen this woman or a group of men.

Police said it is not yet clear if the woman in distress was a decoy and part of the ploy to stop a driver or not.

There are no descriptions of the suspects at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote 44180085114.