POLICE tracking Swindon's so-called bike bandit say they may deploy a decoy to catch the robber.

Detectives are discussing the unprecedented move in a bid to bring the man, who has preyed on Swindon's elderly since April 25, to justice.

The menace uses a bicycle to silently approach his victims before trying to snatch their handbags.

It has been 11 days since the bicycle robber last struck, but the man leading the investigation warned pensioners to remain vigilant.

Det Sgt Kevin Rowles says he may use officers dressed in pensioner's clothes in an attempt to trap the culprit.

He said: "We need the public's support to catch thus man and appeal to everyone to keep their eyes and ears to the ground.

"This is a clearly established trend, but we haven't caught anyone yet.

"I would be surprised if this man doesn't strike again. He is targeting society's most vulnerable people and we need to ensure he is caught soon.

"This is a particularly cowardly style of attack because the target is always a vulnerable person and so this has become a top priority for us."

The man last struck at 2.10pm on Friday, May 3 when he approached a woman in Lawn Woods in Old Town and tried to wrench her handbag from her grasp, causing her to fall to the ground.

He eventually fled empty-handed.

He has also attempted to snatch bags from pensioners walking along the canal footpath behind Tennyson Street, Verwood Road, Kingshill Road and Wolsely Avenue.

A special unit has been assembled with the brief of catching the robber, who is described as white and wearing dark jeans and a dark anorak.

DS Rowles said: "Using a decoy is an operational tactic still available to us and it remains under consideration. We are following several positive lines of inquiry and remain confident of bringing him to justice."