Gang Attack Man After His Bike Is Stolen

Police are looking for a gang who attacked a man with a glass bottle in Portsmouth - after he confronted them for stealing his bike.

Police are now appealing for witnesses after the assault in the early hours of Saturday.

The 39 year old victim suffered cuts to his head following the assault on the junction of Henderson Road and Fort Cumberland Road, around 1.10am, October 1.

The group is described as between four and five men and two women.

The two main suspects are described as:

-White man, 6ft 1ins tall, stocky build, early 20s, close shaven hair, dark coloured zip-up tracksuit top with stripes, removed top to reveal tattoos on both upper arms

-White man, 5ft 9ins tall, slim build, late teens/early 20's, dark blue and white, thin horizontal striped t-shirt

PC Dan Neligan from Portsmouth's Targeted Patrol team said:

 "This matter started out as a theft of pedal cycle belonging to the victim. He went out looking for his bike and discovered a group with his cycle. When the victim asked the group for his bike back he was violently assaulted by the group, and had glass bottles smashed on his head.

"The victim states that a separate group passing by assisted in dispersing his attackers. I would particularly like to speak with these individuals as it would appear that they have seen the offenders.

"I would also like to speak to anyone who was in the area of Henderson Road at around the time of the attack as they may have inadvertently seen the offenders immediately before or after the incident. There were many people out on the street after the time of the attack, including numerous taxis driving past. If you have any information that may assist my investigation I urge you to contact me, however big or small the information may be.

"I would like to remind members of the public not to put themselves in a position of danger. The victim in this incident is fortunate he was not more severely hurt. If you have been the victim of crime contact the police at the earliest opportunity, and if you identify a suspect, or an item of property which was taken from you this also needs to be passed to police so that we can take the necessary actions.