Another snatch by man on bike (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Another snatch by man on bike

A WOMAN was robbed on her way home from a night out in Swindon town centre.

The 22-year-old woman was walking along Wickdown Avenue in Moredon with her sister when the incident happened.

The woman, who is from Moredon, stepped aside to allow a man riding a dark coloured mountain bike to get past, when he grabbed her handbag.

The robber struck at 3.15am on Saturday.

The victim tried to hang onto her bag but was unable to and fell to the floor in the struggle.

PC Lawrence Copeland, of Swindon police, said: "As he grabbed the handbag she fell to the floor, and he made off towards Moredon Road with the bag and contents.

"Luckily she didn't have her purse with her but she did have cash in the handbag."

The woman was shaken up and sustained minor injuries.

"She's a bit distressed obviously but I think she'll be okay," said PC Copeland.

"She hasn't received any substantial injuries."

Police have issued a description of the robber in an appeal for witnesses.

The man is described as white and in his late 20s.

He is around 6ft tall and of big build, wearing a black hooded jumper, black jeans and white trainers.

PC Copeland said: "You wouldn't really like that to happen to anyone.

"We're very keen to catch the offender in this case, and would appreciate any witnesses to get in contact as soon as possible."

The incident is the latest in a spate of robberies where the attackers have been on bikes.

Since May there have been over 20 reported incidents in Swindon. The attacks have been happening across the town and police have been carrying out stop-checks of cyclists in a bid to tackle the trend.

Officers have not ruled out the possibility that an organised gang could be behind the spate.

They say they are treating it as a priority and are advising people to carry bags in the hand or on the shoulder furthest from the road to deter thieves.

Anyone with information about the latest robbery should call PC Copeland at Swindon police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dave Andrew