Published: Friday, 6th March, 2009 5:00pm

Knife thieves terrorise charity bike ride pair

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A couple were threatened at knife-point when they tried to stop thieves taking their new mountain bikes.

The pair, who live in South Bucks, were enjoying a romantic dinner at the Dragon Chef restaurant in Slough, on Friday last week when they saw a man and woman trying to snatch the valuable bikes, which were secured to a lamp-post.

They ran out to stop the two thieves, who had cut off the security lock in the middle of the busy town square, but one pulled out a knife and shouted ‘What you gonna do about it bruv?'

The shaken couple, who have four children, decided to step back for their safety and watched helplessly as their bikes, which had been bought the day before, were ridden away along Park Street in Slough.

The male victim, who declined to reveal his name for fear of reprisal, said: "We couldn't believe it when we saw the knife - it was terrifying. We felt so utterly helpless. We have children so there's no way we'd risk out lives for the bikes."

The theft is major blow for the family. They bought the bikes to take part in a sponsored cycle in June to mark the first anniversary of the death of the woman's father from a brain tumour.

It means they can no longer compete in the race from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise vital cash for brain tumour patients.

The young mum said: "Knowing that I will not be able to raise the money in my dad's memory as planned is devastating. The cycle was my personal way of paying a tribute to my loving dad and these robbers have snatched that away from me."

The thugs dropped a plastic bag, which they had previously used to hide their weapons. This is now being fingerprinted by police.

The robbers were both white. The man is 6ft, large with a wispy bread and in his 30s. The woman was around 26-years-old, with brown hair, 5ft 9ins tall and believed to be Polish.

The bikes were a Carrera Fury and a Carrera Kraken and cost £350 each. Police are calling on anyone with more information to call 08458 505505.