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Cyclist mugged and pushed into stream on popular Cambridge cycle route

Victim lost laptop, phone and bike after being stopped by hooded youths on Snakey Path near Cherry Hinton

A cyclist in Cambridge has spoken of how he was pushed into a stream along a popular cycle path by three hooded youths, who robbed him of his bike, mobile phone and laptop computer.

The incident happened at around 7.20pm on the evening of Friday 2 February on the Snakey Path, which runs alongside Cherry Hinton Brook in the south east of the city.

The 31-year-old victim, who gave his name as Mr Nicholson, sustained minor injuries as a result of the assault, reports Cambridge News.

He told the newspaper: "I'm annoyed. The back wheel of my bike is damaged, I hit my head on the riverbank, the damage could have been a lot worse.

"When I got out they all shouted at me, everything under the sun. Constant swearing.

"I hit my head on the riverbed, I lost my laptop, my phone, and my bicycle."

He used a passer-by’s phone to call the police but was told the situation was “not a priority” because he could no longer see the youths.

He said. "They just walked down the corner of the path," adding, "They wouldn't send anyone. I questioned that they're probably still on the path, but that was it."

The laptop at least seems to have been recovered, with Cambridge News publishing a photo of it, although it was heavily damaged.

He subsequently made a report at the police station but was told that in the absence of CCTV, photographs or forensic evidence, no action could be taken.

In a statement, a spokesman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: "We were called at 7.24pm on Friday [2 February] with reports of an assault in Snakey Path, between Cherry Hinton and Romsey.

"A cyclist was pushed off his bike by a group of three youths. The man fell into the river and received minor injuries as a result of what happened.

"Two of the boys were wearing grey tracksuits and the other dark clothing. All had their hoods up.

"Officers investigated the incident, but no arrests have been made.

"Anyone with information regarding this incident should call police on 101 quoting CF0065190218 or visit www.cambs.police.uk/report/Report.

“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org."

Snakey Path is a well-used cycle route for riders heading between Mill Road and Cherry Hinton, but in places is very narrow with poor surfacing, and it is not unknown for cyclists to inadvertently end up in the brook.

The nearby Tins Path cycle route provides, completed in 2015 after a long-running campaign by Camcycle, provides an alternative way for cyclists to ride between the two locations, and one that is much more fit for purpose.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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23 comments

Avatar
velo-nh | 6 years ago
1 like

Must be a good feeling to know that you're not a priority.  FFS.

 

Avatar
Grahamd | 6 years ago
1 like

Same group as left the Cambridge cyclist bloodied on 15th January perhaps? The failure of the police to act is a disgrace.

 

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kitsunegari replied to Grahamd | 6 years ago
1 like

Grahamd wrote:

Same group as left the Cambridge cyclist bloodied on 15th January perhaps? The failure of the police to act is a disgrace.

 

It's the attitude of Cambridge police that stinks the most. If you submit cctv (camera) footage of driving incidents, or as I have done on more than one occasion threats to my life by drivers in their metal death machines, they say they can't use the footage.

Avatar
Hirsute | 6 years ago
1 like
Avatar
ConcordeCX replied to Hirsute | 6 years ago
2 likes

hirsute wrote:

You mean Jacob

 

http://www.private-eye.co.uk/current-issue

d’oh! Yes, Billy was his dad. Ruined the whole joke! Never mind...

Avatar
Valbrona | 6 years ago
1 like

What's with all these poncey liberal cyclist types getting mugged by gangs of kids?

Avatar
ConcordeCX replied to Valbrona | 6 years ago
2 likes

Valbrona wrote:

What's with all these poncey liberal cyclist types getting mugged by gangs of kids?

you’ll recall that the William ‘The Kid’ Rees-Mogg has been in town lately. I feel sure that if they pulled down the other two hoods they’d reveal the other two members of The Hole in the Argument Gang - Boris ‘Can I Kill Him Now, Doctor?’ Johnson, and Micky ‘Doc’ Gove. 

Avatar
Cupov | 6 years ago
7 likes

Local plod sound like a waste of space. Can't be arsed looking into an assault and mugging...I'd be contacting my local MP

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john1967 | 6 years ago
2 likes

going down there at night ? seriously?

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to john1967 | 6 years ago
4 likes

john1967 wrote:

going down there at night ? seriously?

Yeah, let's criticise vulnerable people who are raped whilst walking home alone at night too whilst we're at it, seriously they deserve it right?

CRETIN!

Avatar
john1967 replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
1 like

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

john1967 wrote:

going down there at night ? seriously?

Yeah, let's criticise vulnerable people who are raped whilst walking home alone at night too whilst we're at it, seriously they deserve it right?

CRETIN!

who was raped? and less of the cretin.I would also recommend some anger management therapy.

Avatar
FluffyKittenofT... replied to john1967 | 6 years ago
4 likes

john1967 wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

john1967 wrote:

going down there at night ? seriously?

Yeah, let's criticise vulnerable people who are raped whilst walking home alone at night too whilst we're at it, seriously they deserve it right?

CRETIN!

who was raped? and less of the cretin.I would also recommend some anger management therapy.

 

Your comment was a depressing bit of victim-blaming.  What you do is up to you, but some people do actually venture out after dark and don't cower in their homes under a self-imposed curfew from sundown to sunrise.   We don't all favour surrendering  the world outside to the predatory.

 

And if you don't like angry responses, maybe don't make passive-aggressive remarks in the first place?

 

Avatar
don simon fbpe replied to FluffyKittenofTindalos | 6 years ago
1 like

FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:

john1967 wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

john1967 wrote:

going down there at night ? seriously?

Yeah, let's criticise vulnerable people who are raped whilst walking home alone at night too whilst we're at it, seriously they deserve it right?

CRETIN!

who was raped? and less of the cretin.I would also recommend some anger management therapy.

 

Your comment was a depressing bit of victim-blaming.  What you do is up to you, but some people do actually venture out after dark and don't cower in their homes under a self-imposed curfew from sundown to sunrise.   We don't all favour surrendering  the world outside to the predatory.

 

And if you don't like angry responses, maybe don't make passive-aggressive remarks in the first place?

 

This, snowflake.

Avatar
Leviathan | 6 years ago
1 like

That's it BAN ALL HOODIES!* That will solve the problem.

*except those baring university logos.

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Yorkshire wallet replied to Leviathan | 6 years ago
2 likes
Leviathan wrote:

That's it BAN ALL HOODIES!* That will solve the problem.

*except those baring university logos.

Not a ban but compulsory hi-viz. That'll stop crime dead.

Avatar
Hirsute | 6 years ago
2 likes

Did he get his bike back then to know the wheel is damaged?

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RoubaixCube replied to Hirsute | 6 years ago
1 like
hirsute wrote:

Did he get his bike back then to know the wheel is damaged?

According to the article, he also got his laptop back....damaged. His mobile phone is still MIA though

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brooksby | 6 years ago
1 like

How narrow  is that path??? 

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Al__S replied to brooksby | 6 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

How narrow  is that path??? 

much worse than the photo shows! 

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BehindTheBikesheds replied to brooksby | 6 years ago
3 likes

brooksby wrote:

How narrow  is that path??? 

Wider than quite a few NCN routes in places ... by a LOT!

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kitsunegari replied to brooksby | 6 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

How narrow  is that path??? 

Very narrow, and it is indeed quite the hazardous spot. Not everyone slows down sufficiently for it.

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Al__S | 6 years ago
4 likes

"it is not unknown for cyclists to inadvertently end up in the brook."

How many times have you done it Simon?

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HarrogateSpa | 6 years ago
9 likes

The reaction from the police is disappointing.

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