Masked robbers halt cyclists and steal bikes

Police said the first robbery happened on a footpath in the Bass Recreation Ground

Two cyclists were robbed of their bikes after being stopped by a masked group in Derby city centre, police have said.

Derbyshire Police said the robberies occurred within 30 minutes of each other on Saturday evening.

The force said a woman was cycling on a footpath near the River Derwent in the Bass Recreation Ground at about 18:45 GMT when her path was blocked by two teenage boys and a man.

She was threatened and ordered off her bike before one of the robbers took it and ran away towards the bus station, the force said.

Police said the second robbery happened at 19:20 on a path between Alvaston Park and London Road.

A man and woman were riding an e-bike and e-scooter when they were approached by three people who began to follow them.

The man handed over an e-bike after he was threatened with a knife with a serrated edge, police said.

The group then rode off towards Harvey Road with the e-bike.

Police said the suspects all wore balaclavas.

One of them was reportedly seen on the stolen e-bike outside the Premier shop in Nightingale Road, Allenton, at about 20:00.

Police said patrols in the area had been stepped up following the robberies.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Derbyshire Police.