Colchester police launch investigation into bike robbery

The 14-year-old Colchester school student was waiting at a bus stop in Boadicea Way opposite the Shrub End Playing Field last Thursday at about 4.50pm.

All of a sudden a vicious thief grabbed his £500 Mafia Bomma Detroit BMX as another pulled him from behind and held him to the floor.

Despite his best efforts to hang onto his prized possession, the hoodlums managed to prise the bike away from the teenager’s grasp before fleeing the scene.

After leaping to his feet the brave boy attempted to chase after the two attackers - one of which had a black eye and the other a balaclava – but they managed to escape.

Essex Police are now urging the public to help them catch those reponsible.

A spokesman said: "We are investigating a robbery in which a bike was taken in Colchester at about 4.45pm on June 23.

"The teenage victim reported he was approached by two black males in Bodacia Way who stole his Red Mafia Bomma BMX bike.

READ MORE: 'They pinned him to the ground' - Balaclava-wearing thugs steal schoolboy's bike

"The victim was unharmed.

"We need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell footage to contact us.

"If you have any information, you can submit a report online at essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

"Please quote crime report 42/160544/22. You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Speaking anonymously, his mum, who has lived in Colchester he entire life, has said her son is upset over the loss of his bike.

She said: “He was shaken up and I was absolutely shocked.

“I phoned the police straight away and his dad immediately drove down there and they went around for a while trying to see if they could find them.

“His bike is his hobby and lots of money Christmas and birthday presents have gone into helping him modify it, so he is gutted because it was his favourite thing.

“He is okay but I am keeping an eye on him – I am just happy he was not hurt because they could have had a knife or anything.”

Since the terrifying ordeal, his mum has attempted to retrieve footage of the site near to where her son was jumped to assist the police – but she has had no luck.

“I went down to the skatepark on the playing fields where there is CCTV and then contacted Colchester Council,” she said.

“They told me the cameras are working but are not actually being monitored, which I think is quite shocking.

“What is the point of them then? I do not want something like this to happen to someone else.”

Colchester Council have been contacted for comment.