A CYCLIST was pulled off his bike, verbally abused and stamped on in a nighttime attack. 

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after the attempted street robbery in Weymouth. 

It happened between 8.30pm and 9.30pm last Wednesday (January 11), but police have only now released the details. 

The victim, aged in his 40s, was riding his bicycle outside the Cutter Hotel in East Street when he was pulled off the bike by a group of men who verbally abused him.

The offenders then demanded his running shoes, coat and his bicycle, before throwing empty cans of drink at him and then stamping on him.

The victim had to wrap himself around his bike on the road to prevent it being stolen.

He suffered minor injuries in the incident. Nothing was stolen.

Detective Constable Simon Beare, of Weymouth CID, said: "This was a frightening ordeal for the victim. The incident occurred in a busy area of the town and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed what happened or has any more information to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170005132. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A spokesman from the Cutter said a call from the Echo was the first they had heard of the incident. 

Borough council briefholder for community safety Francis Drake urged witnesses to come forward and once again called for more police on the ground in the town. 

"It's very disturbing that something like this is happening again in Weymouth. I would echo what the police have said and ask anyone with information to come forward," he said.

"Someone must know who these people are. And the public coming forward with information is the only way we can stop them from doing this again."

Cllr Drake said he believes the town would benefit from three PCSOs patrolling the streets throughout the day. 

"You pick up information on the street," he added. "If they were regular faces around the town, people would get to know them and then they would hear information and help prevent crimes like this."

Cllr Drake also called for 24 hour CCTV to be installed. Currently, Weymouth town centre has a 12-hour system operating from 4pm until 4am. 

Cllr Drake also called for the borough council to address the issue of empty flats in the town centre. 

"If the apartments above shops are occupied, that's eyes on the town," he said.