Cyclist (12) grabbed by man in failed bike theft on Whitehayes Road in Burton

A WOULD-be thief grabbed a 12-year-old cyclist in a failed bid to steal his bike at Burton.

Witnesses and those with any relevant video footage are being urged to come forward as police investigate the attempted theft, which took place around 7.30pm last Thursday.

The young male victim was on Whitehayes Road when he was approached by a man who grabbed him by his upper clothing.

But the attempt to take his bike was thwarted when he alerted his father, who was nearby, and the suspect fled the scene.

The man is described as white, in his 30s, around 5ft 9ins tall, with short shaved hair and a blond beard.

He was wearing a black jacket with red writing on the back, black baggy trousers and black trainers.

PC Paul Humber said: “We are carrying out enquiries into this incident and I am keen to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the offender.

“I would also urge residents or motorists who were in the vicinity to please review any home CCTV, doorbell camera or dash cam footage around the relevant timeframe to see if they have captured anything that might assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact officers online at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 55240081093.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously at crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.