TEENAGE friends fell victim to BMX bandits when they were robbed of their cycles in broad daylight.

Four thugs escaped with bikes worth more than £800 after wrenching them from the grasp of two 14-year-old pals in Birchwood Forest Park.

The pair had been using the park's BMX track without incident when they were approached by the gang, aged between 14 and 16, at around noon on Sunday.

Det Con Kate Parkinson said that initially a youth asked one of the riders if he could borrow his bike.

But the youngster refused - leading to threats and a push which enable the youths to seize his cycle.

The four then forced the other boy to do likewise before escaping into the park, according to DC Parkinson.

Police say the bikes in question are red Raleigh Extreme BMX-style bike, with yellow and blue transfers. And the other is a yellow GT Tequesta mountain bike. Both are thought to be worth in excess of £400.

Witnesses are asked to be on the lookout for a youth, believed to be aged 15, standing 5ft 9ins, medium build, with black, short hair. He was wearing pants and a t-shirt.

Another youth was aged around 14, 5ft tall, with dark, ginger hair, in a bowl style cut with a centre parting, wearing a black Adidas t-shirt and black pants.

The third youngster, thought to be aged 16, was around 5ft 9ins, with short, black hair. He was dressed in a white short-sleeved Ellesse t-shirt, black trousers and black Rockport shoes.

Meanwhile the fourth gang member, also aged 16, of medium build, had short, blond hair and was also around 5ft 9ins.

Park users who might have spotted the incident are asked to call DC Parkinson or DC Derek Lockie on 01244 612653.

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