AN ANGRY grandmother wants to see some action over the 'epidemic' of bike thefts which has hit town in recent weeks, after her grandson was attacked and had his bike stolen.

The 13-year-old was in Lord Street, St Helens, at around 7pm on Monday July 30, when two teenagers, who were both on bikes, pushed the victim him off his bike. One of the thieves then allegedly headbutted him and stole his bike.

The thieves fled the scene but left one bike behind, and it was later revealed that this bike was one of two that had been stolen five minutes earlier from riders in a similair incident on Boundary Road.

The victim's grandmother, Anne Cotham, who is incensed by the theft, told the Star: "It doesn't seem safe for kids to be out on their bikes. I feel as though there is little point in getting him another bike. This is the second one he's had stolen and it wouldn't surprise me if it happened again."

She added that her grandson suffered minor injuries and was very shaken by the incident.

Police are appealing for witnesses and have issued a description of one of the thieves. He is aged between 15 and 16, 5ft 8 tall with a slim build. He was wearing a red t-shirt and black trousers. Both of the thieves spoke with strong Liverpool accents.

Meanwhile, further reports suggested that two bikes were also stolen from outside Woolworths, St Helens town centre, on the Monday afternoon - taking the total of thefts to five in one day.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Paul Ford on 0151 777 6070.