Man suffers head injuries after he is robbed in Hartlepool by gang of at least 15 teenagers

The victim, a man aged in his early thirties, was riding his mountain bike when a large group of males, all aged around 16 years old, dragged him from the bike and assaulted him by punching and kicking him.

They then made off with the bike in the direction of the Hartfields area of Hartlepool.

The incident happened around 3.30pm on Tuesday, May 11, on the footpath directly opposite Clavering Road, where the junction meets the A179.

The victim was left with minor head injuries which did not require hospital treatment, Cleveland Police have said.

Officers believe there were around 15 or more in the group who were all around 16 years old.

One of the suspects is described as a white male, around 16 years old, of slim build, with short, dark hair and wearing a black jacket, red T-shirt and black trousers.

The stolen bike is a Cube Aim Pro mountain bike and is orange and blue in colour.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or anyone who may have been offered the bike for sale or may know the identity of any of the group responsible, is asked to contact Detective Constable Jason Young, from Hartlepool CID, on the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident number 075245.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via its website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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