A cyclist in Regent’s Park was targeted by hammer-wielding robbers who stole his £4,200 bike in a terrifying attack. The incident, caught on video, shows the moment Patrick Conneely, 33, was confronted by two men on a moped while riding in the early morning, as reported by DailyMail.
Conneely, from Leyton, east London, was completing a lap around the park’s Outer Circle when the suspects passed him, inspected his bike, then turned back to pursue him. One of the attackers jumped off the moped and shouted at him to hand over the bike. When Conneely refused, the thief pulled a hammer from the moped’s top box and threatened him before grabbing the bike and escaping.
The attack is part of a disturbing trend of violent robberies in Regent’s Park, where cyclists gathering before dawn have been repeatedly targeted by criminals armed with weapons, DailyMail reported. Many victims say they have been knocked off their bikes or threatened with sharp objects thrown under their wheels. Fearful riders are calling for increased police presence, with concerns mounting that the Metropolitan Police’s response has been inadequate.
The Met insists it is taking the problem seriously, deploying both plainclothes and uniformed officers to patrol before the park officially opens. Chief Inspector John Hine of the Royal Parks unit said the force is prioritising these crimes and increasing patrols, especially at night and in the early morning hours. However, many cyclists remain unconvinced, saying patrols often begin too late to deter the thieves, who typically strike between 5.45 am and 7 am.
Sean Epstein, chairman of Regent’s Park Cyclists, warned that the attacks are having a chilling effect on cycling in the capital. He cited police data showing 768 violent bike thefts in London over the past year, averaging 15 per week. A poll among local cyclists revealed that 91% felt less safe due to the rising number of attacks, with many reducing their time in the park as a result.
Bethan Lloyd-Glass, a 52-year-old Pilates instructor from Muswell Hill, was also targeted while cycling to the park at 5.45 am. She was thrown to the ground by two men on a motorbike who stole her £8,000 Trek Émonda. Police briefly tracked the suspects on CCTV but failed to apprehend them.
The Met has encouraged cyclists to register their bikes to make them easier to trace if stolen. However, with violent thefts continuing, many riders say they now feel like “sitting ducks” in what should be one of London’s safest spaces for exercise and recreation.
