Two Just Eat riders have e-bikes stolen in ‘disgraceful’ attack - Merseyside Police issue witness appeal

One delivery rider gave chase and was attacked by the perpetrators.
Just Eat e-bikes. Photo: ShutterstockJust Eat e-bikes. Photo: Shutterstock
Just Eat e-bikes. Photo: Shutterstock

Police are appealing for witnesses after two Just Eat takeaway delivery riders on electric bikes were attacked in Kirkdale on Friday.

At around 22.40 it was reported a 35-year-old Just Eat rider was at the traffic lights on Scotland Road, near the junction with Great Homer Street and the large ship’s anchor, when three men approached him and demanded he hand over the electric bike he was riding. 

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When the victim refused, he was punched to the face and knocked from the bike, which the offenders then rode off on. The victim sustained a cut to his lip and damage to his teeth.

E-bikes can cost from around £600 to more than £5,000.

Second Just Eat rider attacked

A short time later, at about 23:00, another Just Eat rider on an electric bike saw the offenders on the stolen bike and challenged them.

He followed the offenders to Lancaster Close, at its junction with Wrexham Street, where they got off the stolen bike. They then punched the 33-year-old man to the face and made off on both stolen bikes in the direction of Wrexham Street.

The first stolen bike was later found abandoned on Lancaster Close at 23:30 and recovered.

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Officers attended and have undertaken house-to-house and CCTV enquiries at the scenes.

Witness appeal

Detective Inspector Katherine Ashburner said: “It is disgraceful to think that these two men have been attacked as they went about their jobs trying to earn an honest living, and have had the very means of transport they use to carry out their jobs taken from them.

“We are absolutely determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice. “Nobody should fear being targeted in this way as they go about their jobs, and we have stepped up patrols in the area. But we are also urging cyclists and in particular those undertaking takeaway deliveries to be vigilant following these incidents.

“We are in the early stages of this investigation and would ask anyone who was in the Kirkdale area late on Friday evening who saw anything or anyone suspicious to come forward.

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“Similarly, if you were driving on or near Scotland Road or Lancaster Close and have dashcam footage then please review it and if you see any part of the incident or people you suspect may be the offenders, please let us know. Any information you hold could be vital to our investigation.”

A Just Eat spokesperson said: “Courier safety and welfare is of utmost importance to us. 

“We were deeply concerned to hear about the incident involving two couriers delivering on behalf of Just Eat.

“We are in touch with the authorities to support them with their investigation and are in contact with both couriers to ensure we’re offering the support they need.”

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If you have any information, please contact Merseyside Police directly via @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, or by calling 101, quoting log 210007711383 or 21000771289.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at Crime Stoppers. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.

Just Eat riders access to electric bikes

Just Eat Takeaway.com announced at the end of October that it has implemented a target for its direct operations to be Net Zero by 2030.

Just Eat has already promoted the use of electric vehicles across its network.

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Tens of thousands of couriers worldwide have access to Just Eat Takeaway.com’s fleet of e-bikes, e-mopeds and bikes.

In certain areas, couriers can also take part in lease schemes of e-bikes, e-scooters, and bikes.

Since 2017, the business has sold thousands of ‘competitively priced’ e-bikes to restaurant partners in a number of its markets.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, the company connects with over 580,000 restaurants offering a delivery service to the public.