A cyclist has shared a harrowing account of an attack he suffered at the hands of four thieves in Richmond Park yesterday afternoon (October 7).
Road cyclist Alexandar Richardson posted details of the attack, which has prompted a police investigation, to Instagram that have since been shared widely online.
He described how four men wearing balaclavas and riding on motorbikes chased him in the area of Sheen Cross in Richmond Park, ramming into him and knocking him to the floor as he made for Roehampton Gate.
A police witness appeal described how "He turned round and cycled towards Roehampton Gate when one of the motorbikes rammed him, forcing him onto the ground where he sustained injuries. He retained a grip of his bike when one of the riders produced a machete. They then rode away out of Roehampton Gate with his bike."
#WITNESS APPEAL On 07/10/21 at around 4pm a cyclist noticed a group of 4 males on motorbikes sat at Sheen Cross in #RichmondPark wearing balaclavas. He turned round and cycled towards Roehampton Gate when one of the motorbikes rammed him, forcing him onto the ground where he pic.twitter.com/rVhr0jRPG3
— Royal Parks Police (@MPSRoyal_Parks) October 8, 2021
Images posted by Richardson on social media showed cuts to his legs sustained during the attack.
The cyclist went onto describe how "I'm pretty cut up and bruised with a swollen hip but tomorrow is another day", adding: "Please be careful in the area and note that this is becoming a common occurrence in parts of London."
Police for their part are appealing for witnesses as they seek to catch those responsible.
"The suspects were described as black males, wearing all dark clothing on motorbikes, believed to be similar to Yamaha’s. Do you have dash cam footage or headcam footage of the riders sat at Sheen Cross? Any information, please call 101 & quote CAD Ref 5103/07Oct. Officers have been tasked to patrol the location of the offence," a spokesperson for Richmond Met Police posted to Twitter.
PC Ian Croxford, from Operation Venice, the Met's response to moped enabled crime, added: "Although the victim did not suffer serious injuries this was an incredibly frightening experience and we will do all we can to track down those responsible.
"I'm asking people who were in Richmond Park on Thursday afternoon to check for any video they may have showing a group of four men on mopeds. That could be mobile phone footage, dashcams or cycle helmet footage.
"I'd also ask people living or working nearby to check any local CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage as this could be key to us identifying these dangerous individuals."
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