A TEENAGE boy and a man were robbed in Sankey Valley Park within hours of one another yesterday evening.

Both victims have been left ‘extremely shaken up’ after they had their bikes stolen in the park on Thursday, March 6 - with the 14-year-old being told his by attackers that they had a gun.

The first incident was reported at around 5pm, when a 22-year-old man was attacked by three males near to Nansen Close in Old Hall.

He was accosted by the gang, who approached the victim from the opposite direction as he cycled on a path running alongside the street.

One of the offenders was also cycling, with the other two walking, when they threatened the man and demanded his white Carrera Kraken mountain bike.

The gang then fled in the direction of Old Hall and Westbrook with the bicycle, with the victim leaving the scene in the direction of the railway line.

Around an hour-and-a-half later, at around 6.30pm, the 14-year-old boy was walking with his bike - accompanied by a 13-year-old girl - along a path running towards Lilford Avenue in Bewsey.

They were than approached by two males who had come from the park, with one walking and the other cycling.

The boy was threatened by one of the offenders, who grabbed his dark blue Carrera Hellcat mountain bike before riding off towards the park.

A police helicopter was seen hovering above the park during rush hour last night.

Cheshire Police believe that the two incidents are linked and are appealing for information from members of the public.

Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was cycling in the Sankey Valley Park area whilst wearing a helmet camera.

The three offenders in the first robbery are described as being white and in their late teens.

One male - who was riding the bike - was around 5ft9, of proportionate build and wearing a dark-coloured cotton hoodie with the hood pulled up.

He had a black zip-up jacket over the top of his hoodie as well as dark cotton jogging bottoms.

The attacker who threatened the victim was between 5ft10 and 6ft, with a slim build and wearing a black hoodie with the hood pulled up.

This offender had a neck warmer pulled up underneath the hoodie, covering the lower half of his face, as well as black jogging bottoms and dark-coloured Nike trainers.

He was also carrying a drawstring bag over his back.

The third male was also wearing dark clothing, including a hoodie with the hood up.

Both offenders in the second robbery were also white – with the male of the bike having blonde hair and wearing a hoodie with the hood up and grey jogging bottom.

Meanwhile, the second attacker had dark hair and was wearing black clothing.

Detective sergeant Darren Reid said: “These incidents have understandably left the victims extremely shaken up, and I would like to reassure the community that we are stepping up patrols in the area.

“Anyone with any concerns should speak to an officer - I would also like to reassure Warrington residents that we are determined to find out who the offenders are and make them face the consequences of their actions.

“We believe that the incidents may be linked and as part of our investigations we want to hear from anyone who was in the Sankey Valley Park area and thinks they may have seen the offenders before, during or after either of the robberies.

“The same goes for anyone who may have footage of the offenders from a cycling helmet camera.”

“If you think you recognise the descriptions of the offenders and may know who they are or have any other information that may aid our investigation - no matter how small - please get in touch with us here at Warrington Police Station.

“That includes any information regarding the stolen bicycles - perhaps you have seen them since they were taken from the victims or been offered the chance to buy them.”

Anyone with informed is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 339969 for the first robbery or IML 340052 for the second, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.