Hunt for masked man after schoolboy, 11, pushed off bike

A schoolboy was the victim of a "frightening" attack after a masked man jumped out of a bush.

Officers received a call at around 11.55pm on Friday, April 19 to say a man wearing a balaclava and dressed in black ran from a bush and pushed an 11-year-old boy off his electric bike.

The schoolboy was riding along Aigburth Drive, near Bloomfield Green and Sefton Park boating lake. The man then made off with his bike accompanied by another man. They were described as around 20-years-old.

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The child, who was accompanied by his parents close by, suffered minor injuries. The stolen bike is grey camouflage in colour with ‘Oli’ on the frame and a distinctive spotlight on the front of the bike. Officers are appealing for information, including anyone who witnessed the robbery who may assist the investigation.

Detective Inspector Carla Cross said: “This was a frightening incident for the young victim to experience. I urge anyone who was in the vicinity at just before midnight on Friday and witnessed the robbery or saw two men acting suspicious to please contact us.

“In addition if you live in the area or were driving by at that time, I ask that you check your CCTV and dashcam footage in case it may have captured the incident to please get in touch as any information no matter how small, could be vital to the investigation.

“I also appeal to anyone who knows the whereabouts of the stolen bike to please contact us so we can bring the offenders to justice or may have seen the bike fitting this description in the picture, or sees it for sale to please contact us.”

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or ring 101 with reference 24000356654. You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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