Bike victim hit with baseball bat

OFFIcERS are hunting a moped rider and his pillion passenger after they ambushed a man and hit him over the head with a baseball bat.

The robbery began with the youths pulling alongside the 22-year-old victim and asking him for a cigarette. They started attacking him when he refused their request.

The incident, which took place in Southampton on Friday night, ended with the robbers stealing the man’s bag and racing off. A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: ‘He was approached by two men on a moped – the rider, who had his face covered but was not wearing a crash helmet, and the pillion passenger, who wore a crash helmet. The 6ft 6in tall passenger asked the victim for a cigarette, and when he refused, the passenger hit him with a bat on the head.

‘The victim’s bag, described as a grey Adidas man-bag containing cash, keys and other personal items, was then taken. The offenders left on a blue and white moped.

‘The victim was taken to Southampton General Hospital to receive treatment to a head wound and was later discharged.’

Issuing an appeal for witnesses, Detective constable Donna McKay said: ‘We would like to take this opportunity to remind pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings, particularly if they see a moped approaching with a rider and a pillion passenger.’

Research by catch 22, a charity that works with former gang members, suggests moped muggers can make £300 in a few minutes just from snatching a phone. Some yobs carry out ten muggings an hour.

last month, five people were sprayed with acid, including a food delivery rider whose scooter was stolen.

And a cycle paramedic was mugged by moped riders as she responded to an emergency call in central london. She was on her way to treat an elderly man who had fallen down the stairs when three attackers pounced and stole her phone.