Female cyclist fights off attacker on Oxford towpath

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident on Friday 8 November at 2:30pm

Author: Andrea FoxPublished 11th Nov 2024

A female cyclist has fought off an attacker in an attempted robbery on an Oxford towpath.

At around 2.30pm on Friday (8/11), the victim was cycling along the river Thames towpath from Kennington Road to Folly Bridge.

Approximately 200 metres from the small footbridge just before the Folly Bridge crossing, when a man blocked her path with an e-scooter and gestured for her to stop.

The cyclist had headphones in and so stopped the music and got off her bike.

He then grabbed the victim, possibly in an attempt to take her rucksack.

The victim kicked out at the offender and made an escape. Officers say nothing was stolen, and the woman was not injured.

The man is described as Asian, aged in his thirties or forties with a skinny build.

He was around 6ft to 6ft 2ins tall with a large nose, and was wearing a black coat with his hood up, black jeans and was on a black e-scooter.

He spoke with possibly a northern accent.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Lisa Jones of Oxford CID said: “This incident has occurred in the middle of the afternoon along the Thames towpath.

“I am appealing to anybody who witnessed this incident, or who may have mobile phone footage or any information that may assist this investigation to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police."

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.