Masked bikers rob lone cyclist in highway robbery (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Masked bikers rob lone cyclist in Oakenshaw highway robbery

7:30am Monday 6th September 2010 in Oakenshaw By Kathie Griffiths , T&A Reporter

Police are hunting two masked off-road bikers who committed a broad daylight “highway robbery” on a lone cyclist.

It is feared the two men might strike again – and investigating officers are urging cyclists to travel in pairs if possible while the robbers are at large.

The 33-year-old victim was cycling along the Greenway at Oakenshaw, near to the junction of Green Lane and Wyke Lane, when the black-clad bikers – one wearing a balaclava – revved up behind him, grabbed him from his bicycle, and punched him.

The attackers stayed silent throughout the robbery and stole the man’s wallet, emptying it of cash before slinging it away and roaring off on their all-black off-road bikes.

The cyclist, who is from Cleckheaton but did not want to be named, said that he had heard of problems on that stretch of the cycleway before but nothing as brazen as the attack on him.

He said he was riding home from work at about 2.20pm when he heard motorbikes behind him as he was entering the tunnel.

He said: “I turned around and saw that there were motorbikes on The Greenway, which obviously isn’t allowed. I moved over and kept on pedalling and they just grabbed hold of me.

“I got punched, they went straight into my pocket and got my wallet. They took the money out of the wallet, which they threw away, and then sped off.

“There wasn’t a word said. They only hit me once, I think it was just to take me by surprise. I’m fine now, I’m hurting where they punched me in my ribs.”

He called on fellow cyclists to be wary of similar attacks: “People need to be careful. From now on if I see a motorbike I’m going to stop and get off my bike. Police have had problems on there before but not to this extent.”

Police said the incident was “unusual” and asked for help in tracing the offenders. After leaving their victim on the ground the two bikers made off in the same way they had come, in the direction of Bradford.

The first man was described as being of large build, wearing a black balaclava, black leather jacket, black jeans and black safety boots. The second was wearing a black crash helmet with the visor down, black leather biker jacket, black jeans and black safety boots.

Detective Constable David Lock at Dewsbury CID said because of what they were wearing it was difficult to age the two wanted men or say what ethnicity they were.

“The victim described the attack as quite intimidating and would not want anyone else to go through the type of ordeal he did.

“It’s a difficult one because by nature these cycle and bridleways are rural and are long-stretches of countryside but if people are able to cycle with someone else rather than alone then it would be safer.”

Anyone with information about the incident, which took place on Thursday at around 2.20pm, is asked to contact DC Lock at Dewsbury CID on 01924 431095.