POLICE are hunting two bullying thugs who knocked an 11-year-old youngster off his pedal bike before stealing it.

The young boy was riding his BMX cycle close to Parrenthorn High School, Heywood Road, Simister, Bury, at 5.30pm on Monday afternoon.

The two youths rode up to their victim on a motor cycle. They pushed him off his bike and rode away - one on the stolen cycle, and the other on the motorbike.

The stolen bike, valued at £150, has the word Barracuda written in green on the centre bar.

It also has straight handlebars, clear grips, rubber block pedals, black tyres, calliper brakes, black standard saddle and stunt pegs.

Both thieves were white males. One is aged 15 years, 5ft 5in, with blonde hair and wearing a blue Fleece jacket, Mizuno trainers and light blue shorts.

The second is aged 12 years, about 4ft 11in, with black hair in a skinhead style. He was wearing a green coat and dark blue Ellesse tracksuit bottoms with press studs down the sides.

Anyone able to help track the pair down should phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.