A spate of recent incidents of women having their handbags snatched by boys on bikes has prompted local Police to issue a caution over this "ongoing problem."

One of these incidents involved a 28 year old woman was mugged by boys on bikes as she walked along Brooks Road on Saturday 15th December at 19.00.

Three males all aged about 16 years on bicycles wearing hooded tops or beanies and dark clothes road past her and snatched her bag, which contained her purse, cash, cosmetics, ring and watch, from her shoulder. The teenagers then cycled away.

No words were said no threats made and the victim could not give any better description than the one above.

Another incident occured on Sunday 16th December at 18.20. A 61 year old female was walking home from the High Road along Devonshire Road. As she approached the area between Wood Street and Fraser Street, she felt someone come up alongside her on her left hand side and another cycle past her on the her right.

The person on her left snatched her handbag from her hand and both persons cycled off towards Hogarth Roundabout. Unfortunately the victim was unable to get a good look at either suspect and was unable to give any description other than two youths on bikes.

The third incident occured on Wednesday 19th December at 20.15. The victim, a 31 year old female, was walking down Chiswick High Road towards Prebend Gardens on her way to Revolution.

As she neared Prebend Gardens the suspect, a white male aged 17 years old, slim build, wearing a tan coloured jacket grey hooded top with hood up and blue jeans riding a red bike approached her from behind and grabbed her handbag and cycled off down Prebend Gardens towards Bath Road.

DI Jeff Minns said “This is an ongoing problem, particularly in the Chiswick area, and not the first time subject of an appeal for witnesses. Local police have stepped up patrols and stopping and searching youths on bikes and checking local CCTV.

“People need to be vigilant, aware of their surroundings, look for groups of youths on bikes and be wary. I’m not saying everyone on a bike is suspicious, but just be aware!”

Any witnesses or anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Hounslow CID in confidence on 0208 247 6160/5940 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number 0527947/07 for the first incident (Brooks Road), 0527912/07 for the second incident (Devonshire Road) and 0528152/07 for the third (Chiswick High Road).

December 20, 2007