An elderly man is believed to have been hit with a bike chain and “pushed into a canal” during a suspected daylight robbery. The man in his late 70s is believed to have been robbed of his bike on the Bridgewater Canal near Lower Green Lane and Higher Green Lane on June 8 just before 4.30pm.
This week police have released further details and have appealed to members of the public who may know anything to come forward. Detective Sergeant Victoria Smith, of GMP’s Wigan district, said: “I believe that the victim’s helmet saved his life that day and took the brunt of the hits to his head. “It must have been so terrifying for the victim, who felt completely defenceless.
Police have put out an appeal (Image: Newsquest) “After being pushed into the canal, the victim used all the strength he had to climb out of the canal whilst suffering from his injuries. “The incident happened in broad daylight on what is usually a very busy route used by cyclists, joggers and dog walkers so we are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything or who has any information to come forwards to us. “After speaking to the victim, we think that the suspect was wearing a balaclava that had a skull on the face.
“If you saw anything matching this description on June 8 2024, please get in touch.” Detectives say that after carry out CCTV enquiries they believed that a man dressed in all black clothing pulled in front of the victim on his own bike. This stopped the suspected victim, who w.