A MUM was shaken after being robbed and assaulted in front of her son, friend and many on-lookers.

Following a bike ride, Anette Wooldridge, 29, of Pembroke Road, Walthamstow, was set upon at Walthamstow Central bus station on Friday evening by a group of up to 15 teenagers who stole two of their bikes.

She said that when she refused to hand over the third bike they repeatedly pushed her to the ground, causing her cuts and bruising and frightening her 11-year-old son, Luan.

She said: “It was horrendous. They took the bike I was riding and grabbed my friend's daughter and threw her to the ground them rode off.

“And because I wouldn't get off the bike they through me to the floor with the bike. But my main concern was my son and friend's daughter's safety.”

The teenagers left and a member of staff telephoned the police and the London Ambulance Service who treated the mum for minor cuts and bruising.

The mum-of-five said she was surprised that many of the people waiting for buses did not attempt to intervene or scare the youths off and simply looked on.

She said: “I was shouting as loud as I could and there were people around, it was busy, but no one stopped them.

“Afterwards two girls watching said they had wanted to help but were frightened because they thought the men had knives. But if people had helped they would have been outnumbered.”

She added: “We were just two minutes away from home and had stopped for a drink of water. I just want to make sure people are aware and try to be vigilant when you are using a bike.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at approximately 9.30pm to reports of a robbery at Walthamstow Central.

  “Two women and a young man were sitting on a bench in Selbourne Road with their bikes when they were approached by a group of young men. 

“The young men attempted to steal the bikes, pushed one of the women to the floor and then ran off towards the High Street with two of the bikes.    “No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.”