Warning as cycle thieves target kids ALEX SCAPENS
PARENTS have been warned after two schoolboys were robbed of their mountain bikes – with one being held at knifepoint.
Charlie Albiston, 12, was riding along London Road, Hazel Grove, on Tuesday evening when three teenagers threatened him and made him hand over his GT Aggressor mountain bike, worth £350.
Twenty minutes later another Stockport School pupil, 14, was threatened with a knife and forced to hand over his bike at Reevey Avenue, Hazel Grove.
Both victims were left uninjured but Rachael Albiston, Charlie’s mum, says her son has been traumatised by the experience.
Rachel, 34, of Great Moor, said: “I was devastated. The bike is material and can be replaced, but it’s the fact they scared him that breaks my heart.
“That people can behave like that is appalling. Charlie didn’t sleep that night and has been very sad and withdrawn.
“For parents it is a hard one, you don’t want your child to be cooped up all day but this leaves you scared stiff when they go out. Especially for it to happen so openly.”
Charlie was targeted near the London Road junction with Vine Street and Lever Street at around 5.15pm.
Rachel has got CCTV from a nearby restaurant and shown stills from it to the parents of the second victim, who have confirmed the same youths were involved.
In the second robbery a red Voodoo mountain bike was taken.
The gang is described as three white males aged 16 to 17.
Rachel has also told staff at Stockport School in a bid to warn other pupils about what happened.
The school, on Mile End Lane, declined to comment about what advice or warning it has issued to other parents and students.
A police spokesman confirmed that both robberies had been reported and officers were investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.