A CYCLIST was beaten and stripped of his bike by a gang allegedly armed with metal poles. 

Police issued an appeal for witnesses after the alleged attack in Purton last night. 

It followed a widely-shared Facebook post apparently showing pictures of the victim, whose orange Voodoo pushbike was stolen by the thieves. The men were said to have been armed with metal poles.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said the force had received a report of an alleged assault in the path by Lydiard Millicent Church cemetery, off Church Street, Purton, shortly before 8pm on Monday. 

He said: "It is reported that the victim, who was on a pushbike, has been attacked by a group of males before the bike was stolen.

"The suspects, who were also on bikes, are believed to have left the scene in the direction of Swindon on Church End.

"The victim was taken to hospital for his injuries which are not thought to be life changing."

Witnesses or drivers who have dashcam footage of a group of male cyclists in the area at 8pm are asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101.