A TEENAGER was robbed of his bike by a masked man in Woolston as he cycled home from school on Friday.

The 15-year-old also had his watch stolen after being attacked in Woolston Park shortly after 2.15pm on Friday, February 7.

He was robbed by a man who was sat on a bench in the park near to Somerset Way, with the suspect described as wearing a black hat with a hood, a balaclava, a black coat and tracksuit bottoms.

Cheshire Police has urged children not to travel alone after a spate of similar incident in recent weeks.

Uniformed and plain clothes officers will be patrolling ‘in key areas’ at home time over the coming days as a response.

Pupils are warned to stay with groups of friends and avoid shortcuts down back alleys or parks, instead sticking to ‘well lit and visible areas’.

Youngsters have been robbed of their bikes as they walked home from school in areas including Orford, Latchford, Birchwood and Old Hall in recent weeks.

Two teenagers had their bicycles taken by a pair of offenders wearing balaclavas on Cromwell Avenue shortly after 3pm on January 21, with one of the victims being kicked by their attackers.

A 12-year-old was then attacked on the footpath between Brock Road and Dewhurst Road shortly after 3pm on February 3, with two teenagers taking his mountain bike and punching him in the head.

Masked robbers targeted a teen on Brickfields Park at 4.30pm the same day.

And two more schoolboys were cycling home from school on Mersey Walk at around 3.15pm on February 4 when they were chased by two men and attacked.

Anyone with information on the latest incident is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML631124, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.