An electrician was stabbed in the forehead with a screwdriver after challenging two bogus callers at a pensioner's flat.
The man was working at sheltered housing in East Street, Chichester, when the two men conned their way into the flat claiming they were checking the water supply.
But when the electrician questioned them, one of the men punched him in the face while the other grabbed his screwdriver and stabbed him in the head.
He was taken to St Richards Hospital in Chichester for treatment.
Three other pensioners in the housing block were burgled by the conmen.
The first man is described as a stocky white male, five foot eight/nine inches tall, clean shaven, mid to late 40s and was wearing a flatcap, which was possibly tartan.
The second was a white male, five foot ten inches tall, with dark facial stubble, navy jacket, navy trousers, a dark or navy bobble hat (without the bobble), mid to late 30s and of slim build.
Anyone with any information is asked to call PC Steve Self at Midhurst Police Station on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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