Grimsby youths push cyclist off bike and nick it

Police are appealing for witnesses after a Grimsby cyclist had his bike stolen after being pushed off by three youths. The incident took place on Railway Street on Friday April 1. The bike is a yellow Claud Butler mountain bike.

The Grimsby Telegraph reports that the incident took place between 9pm and 10pm as the man was cycling towards the footbridge. He was approached by three white youths around 17 years of age who pushed him off and took his bike.

Two were described as being of medium build, around 5ft11in tall, wearing black trainers, black Adidas tracksuit bottoms, dark blue North Face tops and with short brown hair.

The third was said to be 5ft10in, again of medium build, wearing a black top and tracksuit bottoms with black shoes and a dark blue Nike baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call Humberside Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 2178900. Calls can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Late last year, Grimsby Cycle Hub, a not-for-profit community interest company, crowdsourced £400 to buy a replacement bike after a cyclist was robbed in a similar incident.

Dariusz Borzecki was cycling home from work when he was pushed off his bike by two men and assaulted. He suffered concussion, a broken nose, several cuts to his face and had vision problems for over a week afterwards.

After being presented with the replacement bike, Borzecki said: "I love the gesture, I think it's an amazing thing. It's really got my spirits up. In fact I think their initiative is great and I've been inspired by the whole thing.”

Janine Walker, managing director of The Cycle Hub, said:

"We are delighted that community spirit has won through and outshone the nasty attack. We had faith that the natural goodness in the town's residents would outdo the disrespectful thuggery that showed up during this cowardly attack.

"I hope this show of support will renew the gentleman's faith in his fellow townsfolk and we want to thank everyone for getting behind this campaign and showing that we don't accept such awful behaviour."