Police appeal after car used as weapon to assault and rob cyclist in Preston

Police in Lancashire have issued an appeal for information after a car was deliberately driven at a cyclist, knocking him from his bike, with the vehicle’s occupants then punching and kicking him and stealing his wallet.

Lancashire Constabulary say that the incident took place at around 11.15pm on the evening of Saturday 17 May on Ribbleton Lane in Preston.

The male cyclist, aged 35, was verbally abused as he passed a group of men standing next to a car with foreign number plates.

The car was then intentionally driven at the cyclist, who was then punched and kicked and had his wallet stolen.

According to police, the cyclist, who was treated afterwards at Royal Preston Hospital, could have been more seriously injured had it not been for the intervention of other people.

The men involved in the assault are said to be white and to have Eastern European accents, while the vehicle is described as a small hatchback, possibly light blue in colour.

DC Danny Greene said: “This was a nasty and unprovoked assault and we are working to try and find the people responsible.

“If you witnessed this assault or have any information about the people responsible then please contact us quoting log reference LC-20140517-1926.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.