POLICE today urged pensioners to take steps to protect themselves from Swindon's so-called bike bandit.

The robber has been preying on the elderly since April 25, using a bicycle to approach his victims before trying to snatch their handbags.

He struck on consecutive days after his first attack on an 81-year-old woman in Windsor Road.

His last attack was at 2.10pm on Friday, when he approached a woman in Lawn Woods in Old Town his seventh strike.

The robber cycled alongside the woman before trying to wrench her handbag from her grasp, causing her to fall. He eventually left empty-handed.

He has also attempted to snatch bags from pensioners walking along the canal footpath behind Tennyson Street, Verwood Road, Kingsill Road and Wolsely Avenue.

Det Sgt Kevin Rowles also asked the public to come forward with information to catch the robber.

He said: "We need the public's support to catch this man and appeal to everyone to keep their eyes and ears to the ground.

"This is a clearly established trend, but we haven't caught anyone yet.

"I would be surprised if this man doesn't strike again. He is targeting society's most vulnerable people and we need to ensure he is caught soon.

"This is a particularly cowardly style of attack because the target is always a vulnerable person and so this has become a top priority for us."

The police helicopter was scrambled and officers on foot went to the scene after reports of the attack in Lawn Woods on Friday, but their search proved fruitless.

A special unit has been assembled with the brief of catching the robber, who is described as white and wearing dark jeans and a dark anorak.

Anyone with information should call police on (01793) 528111.