POLICE are appealing for information after a man was seriously assaulted and had his bicycle stolen in a robbery in Crewe.

The victim, a man in his 20s who lives in the town, was cycling near the junction of Ruskin Road and Gainsborough Road when the incident occurred at around 2am today (May 13).

He stopped peddling when an unknown man on foot approached him. He was spoken to and then punched in the face by the man, with the impact knocking him off his bike.

The offender then picked up the bike and rode off on it in an unknown direction.

The victim sustained a serious facial injury as a result of the incident. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance and remains there receiving treatment.

Detectives say his attacker is around 5ft 10 tall with a slim/average build. He was wearing all black clothing and had a black face mask on.

The bicycle he stole is a black Trek mountain bike with blue hand grips and suspension forks.

Detectives are urging anyone with any information or footage regarding the robbery to get in touch.

Det. Sgt Vicki Shelton, of Crewe Local Policing Unit, said: "The victim is currently in hospital receiving treatment for a serious facial injury he sustained as a result of this incident.

"We wish him a speedy recovery and I would like to reassure him and all other members of the Crewe community that we are doing everything we can to establish who committed the serious assault and robbery, make him face the consequences of his actions and have the stolen mountain bike returned to its rightful owner.

"Enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who was in the area and saw anything that may help our investigation to contact us at Crewe Police Station.

"The same goes for anyone who thinks they may know who the offender is, or have CCTV or dashcam footage of him.

"We also want to speak to anyone who believes they may have seen the stolen mountain bike since the robbery took place, or have information regarding its whereabouts."

Anyone with information or footage that may aid the investigation should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 986720, give the details here or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.