Police appeal after serious assaults on cyclists in Oxford and Kettering

Police in Oxford and Kettering have issued appeals following separate assaults on cyclists in recent days, with one of the victims taken to hospital with serious head injuries.

Thames Valley Police are investigating a case of grevious bodily harm after a cyclist was pulled from his bike on the city’s High Street late on the evening of Tuesday 25 October.

The victim, aged 47, had been cycling away from Carfax at between 11.30pm and 11.45pm when a group of men kicked out at him, causing him to fall from his bike.

The assailants fled the scene, while witnesses called an ambulance which took the man to the John Radcliffe Hospital with serious head injuries.

Investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lis Knight: “This incident has left the victim with serious injuries, for which he is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

“Our officers are in Oxford city centre while they carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this incident.

“I am appealing for anyone who has any information which they think could relate to this assault to come forward as soon as possible and contact police on 101, quoting URN 283 26/10.”

The assault in Oxford followed one in Kettering last Friday 21 October in which a 32-year-old cyclist was left with injuries including a broken wrist after being attacked by a group of four men.

The man had been riding his bike on a path in an area of parkland between Spring Rise and Springfield Road at around 4.20pm when he passed the group, one of whom stuck his arm out, making him fall from his bike.

As he lay on the ground, one of the men kicked him, causing swelling and bruising and breaking his wrist. The men, who also caused what was described as “significant damage” to the victim’s bike, then walked off towards Springfield Road.

Northamptonshire Police have released the following descriptions of the suspects:

The first offender who knocked the cyclist from his bike was white, aged 18 – 20, of medium build, 5ft 10ins, with very short dark hair and was wearing a grey tracksuit and a dark scarf around his lower face.

The second offender was also white, aged 18 – 20, slim, around 6ft and was wearing a black tracksuit and green Parka coat with the hood pulled up.

The third and fourth offenders were also both white, aged 18 – 20 and slim, around 6ft and wearing hooded tops with the hoods up.

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone else who has information to come forward and can be contacted on 101.

In both cases, information can also be given anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.