A motorcyclist has told of being attacked by three hooded and balaclava-wearing bike-jackers at a petrol station while staff failed to call the police.
Dramatic CCTV images show the rider being dragged off his Yamaha R6 and kicked and punched to the ground by two assailants while the third attempts to start the bike.
The victim, who was wearing his crash helmet, managed to fight off his two attackers and push the third away from his bike.
But in the struggle one of the assailants snatched the keys and alarm fob before the three fled.
Police have advised replacing the bike’s locks, alarm and immobiliser – at a cost of £2365 – to prevent the gang stealing it later.
The 26-year-old victim, who asked not to be named, had just paid for fuel in West Dulwich, south London, when the attack took place at 10pm on April 28.
He said: "I fought off two assailants and managed to get to my feet and push the man attempting to start the bike. He staggered back, off balance, while trying to get what could have been a weapon from his pocket.
"I turned back to the other two to see one dash towards the bike, grab the keys and run. The remaining two then seemed to panic and also ran off.
"When I asked a moment later if the police were coming, the attendant said, ‘No. I thought you were playing.’"
A spokesman for the garage, a Shell franchise, said: "I think it happened quite quickly. Because the bike was still there the member of staff must have thought they were messing about."
A Met spokesman said: "The victim was paying for petrol and as he returned to his bike, he was approached by three suspects who assaulted him and tried to pull him to the floor. One of the suspects also tried to start the bike.
"After a brief struggle, the three suspects made off with the keys to the bike."
RustyKnight In: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 2462
Karma:
Sounds like it was one of those chancer things and he probably took the keys to stop the rider giving chase. I know these hoodies are quick but I doubt they'd match 0-100 in 6 seconds even with their Air Max on!!
Someone will probably find the keys thrown over a wall somewhere.
After I pulled into a petrol station at 2am (also in south London) a transit followed me in 4 blokes piled out. As I was filling up they started asking inane questions 'how fast does it go? don't you get scared?' etc etc. I could see wot was gonna happen as soon as I turned my back so I put £9.99 worth of petrol in & waved at the guy on the till. Luckily he realised wot I'd done & let them know he'd called the police over the tannoy,needless to say they left pretty sharpish. I was quite scared at the time,being a lone female in that situation wasn't nice. So now I try to always fill up at 'sensible' hours & use the pay at the pump if possible.
If the insurance won't pay for new locks/alarm etc, I'd be tempted to go to the DVLA and see if it's possible to have a new regisitration number issued. Not a 100per cent solution, but it wojuld make it a lot more difficult for the scrotes if they have kept the keys for possible future use.
I know of one lady BM member who thought she was about to lose her bike in similar circumstances, although in the end they left and it didn't happen. Still pretty frightening though.
Croxted Motors, Croxted Road, West Dulwich.
Just Google "Shell" and "West Dulwich" and then check back on Google Maps/Street View and compare with the CCTV stills on the MCN website. Maybe I should get a life?
The incident to the BM rider was up here in the north west, btw.
i like the way the police just repeat what they were told ! i realy dosnt make them sound like they have a clue dose it
but good on the fella for fighting them off
The police 'watching the garage',.. hmm, no doubt having a look at the pump to see if there's room for them to fill up when they drive by! It's sounds as though they are as useless down there, as they are up here!!!!!!!