WOMEN should not walk alone through Cheltenham after dark, a councillor has warned after another late-night attack in the town.
Simon Wheeler, borough councillor for Hester's Way, said he was appalled following the mugging of a 23-year-old woman, who was walking in the area in the early hours of Sunday.
She was walking down Russet Road at 1.35am when she was robbed by a hooded man on a bicycle, who pushed her to the floor during the robbery.
The incident comes after a number of late-night assaults in the town in the past few months.
Mr Wheeler felt that people should not have to live in fear when walking the streets of the town, no matter what the time of the day.
He added: "This is totally unacceptable wherever in Cheltenham it may happen.
"I believe it is a very sad case that nobody can walk safely in the street at night without fearing of being attacked.
"I would urge anyone – and young ladies in particular – not to walk alone in the early hours of the morning and urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward."
Police in Cheltenham have launched an investigation following the robbery.
A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire police said: "A 23-year-old woman was walking along the road at about 1.35am on Sunday when she was approached from behind by a man on a small dark coloured push bike.
"The man grabbed the woman's bag and in doing so caused her to fall to the floor.
"He was wearing a dark hooded top, with the hood up, and dark coloured trousers.
"It's thought he was in the company of another man, also on a bike.
"The second man was wearing a light coloured hooded top, with the hood up, and dark trousers."
Both cyclists then continued along the road and turned right into Bramley Road.
Officers investigating the robbery want to hear from anyone in the area around the time of the incident who may have seen the men.
Information can be given to Gloucestershire police by dialling 101 and quoting incident number 36 of May 12. Details can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Informants may receive a reward if someone is arrested and charged in connection to the robbery.
