The town of Preston, Lancashire, has been hit with a spate of violent thefts of bikes from youngsters, with three such incidents occurring in as many hours on Tuesday, although Lancashire Constabulary does not believe the crimes are linked.
The second, and most violent, took place at noon on Tuesday, reports the Lancashire Evening Post, and took place at the junction of St Paul’s Road and Moor Park Avenue in Deepdale.
A 16-year-old boy riding his bike, a Saracen Mantra that cost £70, was surprised by a man who leapt out from behind a parked car, grabbing the bike’s handlebars and putting a knife to the throat of the victim. The assailant made off with the bike.
Just five minutes later, another bike was stolen in Deepdale, this time in St George’s Road, with the victim a boy aged just ten years who was riding home from the shops.
The youngster realised he was being followed by a group of men, one of whom punched him in the face when he turned round. As he lay on the ground and started picking up his shopping, he saw that one of the men had ridden off with his bike, with five other men walking next to him.
The first attack happened at 9am that morning close to the Asda supermarket in Eastway. The victim, a 13-year-old boy, had stopped to fix a puncture when a man aged between 17 and 20 came up and forced him to hand over his bike as well as some money.
The assailant was described as white, around 5 foot 11 inches with blond straight hair and wearing a pink bandanna which had crosses drawn on it in black marker pen.
Detective Sergeant John Crichton commented: “We are appealing for anyone with information to contact us.”
Police can be contacted on 01772 203 203 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Because of GDPR?
Does punching a 78-year old in the head not indicate intent to cause grievous bodily harm?
Even if it's worth next to nothing, there is still the matter of the hundreds (or thousands) of pounds a year it costs to insure, tax, service and...
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How many deaths now just this season? Isn't this the third?
I often have to navigate that massive roundabout. The biggest problem I have is with drivers using a lane on the left when they want to take the...
So, let's see: we were sitting with out bikes next to us, on public land. After walking them up the hill. How is your comment relevant ?...
True. Daughter's bike was stolen by railings like in picture being cut. Cordless angle grinders get through cast iron very easily for very little cost
I thought UK is the only country in the world that hates cyclists.
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