Injured victim takes photo of Wolverhampton theft suspect

The 31-year-old victim pulled out his phone and grabbed a photo of the man who is understood to have just attacked him before he made off. His actions have now sparked an appeal from police who are trying to trace the culprit.

Officers say the attack was 'completely unacceptable and unprovoked', and say the cyclist was lucky not to have been more seriously injured.

They today released the image in the wake of the incident on Dunkley Street, Whitmore Reans.

The victim suffered swelling to his face following the attack which happened at around 2.20pm on Sunday, August 18. But despite his injuries he was able to get a picture of the alleged attacker on his camera phone.

Officers have been following a number of lines of inquiry to trace the man responsible, including speaking to possible witnesses and looking at CCTV footage. However, the man has yet to be identified.

Officers today said they hoped people would recognise the man in the image and would come forward with any information they had. They also praised the cyclist for his quick-thinking.

Detective constable Mike Sanders, from Wolverhampton CID, said: "This is a pretty clear image of the suspect we want to speak to and we'd ask anyone who recognises him or knows who he is to contact us immediately.

"It's thanks to the fast actions of the cyclist, despite him nursing an injury, that we are able to release this picture.

"This was a completely unacceptable and unprovoked attack carried out in broad daylight and the victim was fortunate to only suffer minor injuries.

"If you were in the area at the time and have any information about what happened, please come forward and speak to us."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.