Police appeals after separate attacks on two cyclists in Yorkshire

Police forces in Yorkshire have launched appeals for information following two separate attacks on cyclists, one in Wakefield in April, the other in Sheffield last Monday evening.

Brian Trevalyan sustained cuts and bruises earlier this week when he was set upon by a gang of between 15 and 20 youths as he rode home from work through a tunnel under a railway line near Guernsey Road, reports the Sheffield Star.

The 54-year-old, who works at Sheffield Hallam University, told the newspaper: “As I approached the tunnel, the other end was completely blocked by the gang. I asked them politely to move, but they forced me to stop.

“A bit further on, someone smacked me on the back, hard. Then someone kicked my bike and suddenly there were two of them stood directly in front of me, forcing me to stop again.

“I asked again, ‘can I come past?’ and they just screamed in my face. No words, just screaming, then one of them started kicking my bike really hard.

“The next thing I knew, one of the two lads punched me without warning, really hard below my right eye. He punched me so hard that he completely knocked me to the ground.

“They all then ran off to the other end of the tunnel. As I picked myself up I realised that they’d smashed my glasses.”

He added: “I have experienced aggression from this particular gang, the ‘Top Corner Gang’, before, but never to this extent. I will never ride on this path ever again now – I’d rather chance the traffic on Chesterfield Road.”

South Yorkshire Police have asked witnesses to the assault or anyone who saw the gang beforehand to contact them on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Meanwhile West Yorkshire Police have also issued a witness appeal following an incident in Wakefield in April when the driver of a Ford van mounted a pavement to knock a cyclist from his bike and then threatened him.

Officers say the incident took place at around 8am on Tuesday 19 April on Bradford Road, Wrenthorpe. The victim, a 40-year-old man from Wakefield, was uninjured.

According to police, the driver pulled in front of the bike rider twice, then pulled away when the cyclist tried to overtake.

PCPaul McMurran, of Wakefield District Police, said: "We are investigating this incident in which could easily have had some very serious consequences.

"It is only by good fortune that the cycle rider was not seriously hurt and I would like to speak to anyone who saw the collision or the cycle or van beforehand.

"The initial incidents took place as the cyclist passed a parade of shops while coming on to Bradford Road from Leeds Road.

"He then passed the council depot on his right hand side before been forced off the road by the van just before the Fiat dealership on the left.”

Anyone with information is requested to contact PC McMurran via 101 or Crimestoppers.

Police appeals after separate attacks on two cyclists in Yorkshire

Police forces in Yorkshire have launched appeals for information following two separate attacks on cyclists, one in Wakefield in April, the other in Sheffield last Monday evening.

Brian Trevalyan sustained cuts and bruises earlier this week when he was set upon by a gang of between 15 and 20 youths as he rode home from work through a tunnel under a railway line near Guernsey Road, reports the Sheffield Star.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/cyclist-attacked-by-teen-gang-in-sheffield...

The 54-year-old, who works at Sheffield Hallam University, told the newspaper: “As I approached the tunnel, the other end was completely blocked by the gang. I asked them politely to move, but they forced me to stop.

“A bit further on, someone smacked me on the back, hard. Then someone kicked my bike and suddenly there were two of them stood directly in front of me, forcing me to stop again.

“I asked again, ‘can I come past?’ and they just screamed in my face. No words, just screaming, then one of them started kicking my bike really hard.

“The next thing I knew, one of the two lads punched me without warning, really hard below my right eye. He punched me so hard that he completely knocked me to the ground.

“They all then ran off to the other end of the tunnel. As I picked myself up I realised that they’d smashed my glasses.”

He added: “I have experienced aggression from this particular gang, the ‘Top Corner Gang’, before. But never to this extent. I will never ride on this path ever again now – I’d rather chance the traffic on Chesterfield Road.”

South Yorkshire Police have asked witnesses to the assault or anyone who saw the gang beforehand to contact them on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Meanwhile West Yorkshire Police have also issued a witness appeal following an incident in Wakefield in April when the driver of a Ford van mounted a pavement to knock a cyclist from his bike and then threatened him.

Officers say the incident took place at around 8am on Tuesday 19 April on Bradford Road, Wrenthorpe. The victim, a 40-year-old man from Wakefield, was uninjured.

According to police, the driver pulled in front of the bike rider twice, then pulled away when the cyclist tried to overtake.

PCPaul McMurran, of Wakefield District Police, said: "We are investigating this incident in which could easily have had some very serious consequences.

"It is only by good fortune that the cycle rider was not seriously hurt and I would like to speak to anyone who saw the collision or the cycle or van beforehand.

"The initial incidents took place as the cyclist passed a parade of shops while coming on to Bradford Road from Leeds Road.

"He then passed the council depot on his right hand side before been forced off the road by the van just before the Fiat dealership on the left.”

Anyone with information is requested to contact PC McMurran via 101 or Crimestoppers.