Police are appealing for witnesses after a 15-year-old boy had his bike stolen in Preston.

The victim was cycling along the Guild Wheel near to Sandyforth Lane and Lightfoot Green Lane at around 12.05pm on Saturday, April 8 when he was approached by a group of five boys, four of whom were on bikes at the time.

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One of them told the told then victim to get off his bike before punching him and pushing him off. He took the bike from the victim and all five boys rode off down Sandyforth Lane towards Old Lightfoot Lane.

The main offender is described as aged around 15 years, and around 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in tall. He was wearing a black waterproof hooded jacket, black Berghaus waterproof trousers and a black balaclava.

The other offenders are all described as aged between 15 and 17 years and were all dressed in dark clothing. One of them wore black and blue trainers. They all had their faces covered with either a balaclava or zipped up jacket and tightly tied hoods. The bikes they were riding were described as old and rusty and one of them had a bin bag on the seat.

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Det Sgt Jerry Sturgess, of Preston CID, said: “This was a completely unprovoked and heartless attack on a decent young man who was on a popular cycle route in Preston.

“There is a good chance that these youths responsible are known in the area and will have been seen on this route previously.

“I urge anyone with any information at all to come forward.”

Anyone with information about the incident or about the offenders can contact police on 101 quoting log reference 0674 of April 8th.

Alternatively, they can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.