A cyclist was punched to the ground and had his bike stolen by a group of six men as he cycled through Walthamstow marshes.

Police patrols have been stepped up on the marshes after the attack, which happened in Coppermill Lane shortly before 6pm on Tuesday (March 24).

The men fled with the man’s bike and a bag which contained his phone.

Witness to the theft Chrissy Wood of Luton Road, Walthamstow, who has used the route to get to work for the past four years, said: “I was cycling under the low railway bridge when I had to stop for a swig of water."

“Looking ahead I saw a man standing up with a helmet on but no bike. ‘I thought, ‘what’s that about?’ “He slowed down by a group of youths also on bikes. When he passed them he was punched in the face and knocked off.

“I stopped cycling in the dark around Christmas as I’m a lone cyclist and could be targeted."

The defiant cyclist said she was determined not to let the attack affect her decision to cycle to work.

She added: “I would rather take my chances on the marshes than have to battle the lorries in Blackhorse Road.

“It is becoming a bit of a disturbing trend to attack cyclists so I would urge others to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the police.”