Cyclists attacked by axe-wielding bike thieves

Cyclists in north London and Hertfordshire have been targeted by violent gangs on motorbikes and had their bikes stolen.

A number of attacks have taken place, including one incident caught on dashcam in which members of the group can be seen wielding an axe.

Hertfordshire Police said cyclists who think they are being followed, particularly in a remote area, should call 999.

A force spokesperson said: "We'd rather attend to find that everything is in order, than miss an opportunity to catch a potential criminal."

Cyclist Shaiba Ilyas was attacked by a gang wielding an axe.

Cyclist Shaiba Ilyas told BBC London he was attacked on a Thursday afternoon near Borehamwood by a gang wielding an axe.

He said he was repeatedly hit on his shoulder with a hard object.

"I didn't know what it was. And they were shouting, 'stop, stop' swearing, saying stop. I sort of jammed on the brakes, almost fell into the ditch. I just managed to stay upright. They continued hitting me on my shoulder.

"I saw he was hitting me with the reverse of a sort of hand axe.

"He then turned the axe round and was waving it at my face, sort of waving it across in front of me saying, 'give me the bike, give me the bike, get off your bike, give me the bike'."

He said the robbers were "young, I'd say kids … between 16 and 18 years old".

Mr Ilyas said while he is "upset" about the loss of the bike, "the biggest thing was the threats of violence and the way they behaved towards me and if I had tried to put up a fight what they might have done".

He added: "I don't feel comfortable going out on my own at the moment. I just don't. I'm just too nervous to do so."

'Violent attacks'

Sean Epstein, chair of Regents Park Cyclists said these types of robberies "are not about 'theft' or 'expensive bikes' - they are violent attacks with massive victim and community impact".

He added: "The most recent incidents are on the main cycling thoroughfares out of north London.

"People should feel safe leaving their house for exercise, not terrified to be picked off like sitting ducks."

Hertfordshire Police said riders could security mark their bikes and register them on The National Cycle Database.