Four robbers got more than they bargained for when they boarded a tanker off Indonesia.

Local media said the men got into a fight with crew, who managed to hold one of the thieves until police arrived.

The incident took place on the 1,200-dwt Horizon Maru (built 1992) in the Riau Strait on Tuesday morning.

The Barakata website said the crew reported the boarding to police, who arrived in a patrol boat.