Images have emerged of the gang of machete wielding thugs preying on cyclists in and around Richmond Park.

The latest attack took place yesterday afternoon in broad daylight in Roehampton High Street, which is a busy road close to the entrance to Richmond Park.

This is the third attack and bike-jacking of this kind in the last week. There were others on Wednesday and Thursday last week, while the moped gang have been cited in the area on other occasions.

The attacks involve serious violence and threats by men in balaclavas on a moped who ram their victims to the ground, before grabbing their bike and riding away.

Two have involved threats with a machete, and cyclists, including a number of women, say they are now so alarmed by the attacks in recent days that they are too frightened to use Richmond Park.

Armed police were called to the latest incidence which happened shortly after 5pm, however they were unable to locate the thieves, who are believed to operate out of properties in the Roehampton area.

Some of the thugs involved have even posted videos of themselves riding around on the stolen bikes on social media.

In response to the latest attack, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at 17:09hrs on 11 October to High Street SW15 after a man was reported to have been assaulted by two males who then stole his bicycle.

"One of the suspects was reported to be in possession of a machete and so armed officers responded.

"An area search was conducted, however the suspects could not be traced.

"The victim was taken to hospital as a precaution but was not seriously injured."

He said no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.