Artist impression of robberPOLICE are renewing an appeal for witnesses after a teenager was forced to hand over cash and his bike to a robber.

The 16-year-old boy was walking through Rushey Platt nature reserve with his brother's mountain bike at 5.50pm on Monday, May 9 when the robbery happened.

A man violently threatened the teenager and demanded he hand over his wallet and the yellow and black bike.

The boy, who feared for his safety, handed over the wallet, which contained a substantial amount of cash, and the bike.

The thug then rode off towards Kingshill.

Police have described the robber as a white male with a freckled complexion and short ginger curly hair.

He was wearing a blue beanie hat and a blue jacket.

The teenager was very distressed and frightened by the ordeal.

His brother's mountain bike has not been found since it was stolen.

Neil Pullen, Swindon Wildlife Officer for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, was concerned this happened at one of the town's nature reserves.

He said: "This is the first incident like this I've ever heard of.

"The area is attracting more and more visitors and wildlife and for something like this to happen is disgusting."

Witnesses are now being urged to come forward to help police find the robber.

Spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "The young lad was distressed by his ordeal and we make an appeal for witnesses, particularly dog walkers and joggers who were in the area at the time, to come forward."

If you have any information, contact Pc Ian Woodward at Swindon police station on 01793 528111.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Lyndsay Scanlan