A disturbing armed robbery occurred in a Staffordshire beauty spot last Sunday, involving the theft of two mountain bikes and violent intimidation of the riders.
At approximately 10.30am on 16 August, four men wearing balaclavas and riding Sur-Ron e-bikes confronted two men cycling in Hopwas Woods, near Tamworth. Armed with knives, the assailants attacked one rider by kicking him and forcibly removing him from his bike. They then threatened to stab the other rider before stealing his bike as well. The group subsequently fled towards the nearby canal and trail network.
The stolen mountain bikes are a blue-and-black Canyon Torque and a silver-and-grey Nukeproof Mega 275, each valued at around � 2,000.
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One of the victims shared details online, stating: “A friend and I were violently robbed of our mountain bikes at Hopwas Woods/canal bridge. A group on Sur-Ron e-bikes assaulted and threatened me with knives and what appeared to be bear spray before fleeing with my bike towards the canal trails. The incident has been reported to the police. Please remain vigilant on local trails, canal towpaths, and online selling platforms across Tamworth, Lichfield, Birmingham, and the wider Midlands. Both my bike and my friend’s bike were taken.”
Robert Pritchard, councillor for Wigginton and Hopwas, described the event as “troubling” and urged local residents to help. He said: “Four individuals brandished knives and stole bikes. If anyone witnessed the incident or has information, please contact Staffordshire Police-even small details can be crucial. Hopwas is a close-knit community; please take extra care on the paths and check in on regular users as we continue to look out for one another.”
Staffordshire Police confirmed an investigation is underway. A spokesperson said: “At around 10.30am on Sunday, four men wearing balaclavas approached two cyclists in Hopwas Hays Wood, off Lichfield Road, and stole their mountain bikes. When one victim refused to hand over his bike, he was repeatedly kicked and dragged away. Another victim was threatened with a knife before his bike was taken. The suspects then fled on two off-road motorcycles.”
Police provided further details on the stolen bikes: The Canyon is a custom 2019 model featuring Stans Flow wheelset with Hope Pro5 hubs (rear hub blue, front black), Rockshox suspension, dropper seatpost, custom DMR stem and handlebars, silver SRAM brakes, and distinct stickers including the word ‘committed’ on the top bar and a white coffin sticker on the seat tube. The Nukeproof has an aluminium frame with Michelin Wild Enduro tyres, a paper tag with a QR code on the bars (from a bike park entry), and a prominent scratch on the left-hand side of the top tube near the headset.
Officers continue enquiries including reviewing CCTV footage. They are appealing for anyone who was in the area or witnessed suspicious behaviour to come forward. Anyone with information should call 101 or use the Live Chat on the Staffordshire Police website, quoting incident 307 of 16 August.