A “petrified” father has said more needs to be done to stop thefts in Avery Hill after his son was mugged of his bike by men in balaclavas.

Former News Shopper delivery boy Alfie Ursell, of Blackfen, was one of a group of boys all aged 12 and 13 who were mugged by a gang in Avery Hill Park on Sunday, April 22 as they rode their bikes.

Now, Alfie’s father Jeff has said more needs to be done before somebody gets hurt.

He said: “My son is so angry. He saved for that bike himself with some money he made from delivering newspapers. It is really not nice. I am petrified that is something doesn’t get done, somebody, a kid, is going to get really hurt.”

Jeff said the boys were dragged of their bikes before the gang rode away on them through some alleys.

Jeff said he thinks it is only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt due to bike thefts.

He said: “They shouldn’t go to this park after about 4pm because that’s when there could be trouble.”

Since the robbery, people have taken to Facebook to consider setting up what Jeff described as a “vigilante” group to “police the park”.

Since the events, a group has been established to search for stolen bikes in south east London.

He said: “I drove around the estate for hours with my son looking for the bikes in case they had been done.

“People are angry about this – it has gone off on social media. This has effected so many families.”

Police confirmed they were investigating the robbery.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “Four boys, aged 12 and 13, were in the park when they were approached by a group of teenage males who verbally threatened them and demanded the victims to hand over their bicycles.

“The suspects then rode off on the bicycles in the direction of Eltham. The victims did not require medical treatment.

“The suspects were described as aged 13 to 16 and they were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or @MetCC.

Information can also be reported anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org