Man robbed by gang at knifepoint

File photo dated 02/11/11 of a generic photo of police officers as the police are poised to bring in private companies to investigate crimes and patrol neighbourhoods, it was reported today. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday March 3, 2012. Two forces, West Midlands and Surrey, are asking security firms to bid for contracts, worth £1.5bn over seven years, to run some services that are currently carried out by officers, according to the Guardian. See PA story POLITICS Police. Photo credit should read: David Cheskin/PA Wire

Three robbers pulled a knife out on the man near a pathway in Broxtowe Country Park before nicking off with his car.

Local ward councillor Philip Owen said he expressed concern to the council when they put the pathway in two years ago – and this latest incident goes to show he was right.

“I knew that pathway would spell trouble. It is highly regretable,” he said.

“We did warn the council that this path would be a hazard when they put it in and I’m afraid we were right.

“It should be a nice facility for people to use. But it’s just problematic. The police need to be patrolling it more.”

The man was approached by his attackers in Mornington Crescent at 7.30am on the morning of November 6.

He put his hands up to the blade to protest himself and suffered serious deep cuts needing hospital treatment.

The robbers took his car keys and all three of them drove away in his silver Mazda.

The man had walked into the park via a footpath and over the bridge into the clearing, and was approached in Mornington Crescent at the junction with Woodhouse Way, near to the Belfry exit.

Cllr Owen said it was usually speeding quad bikes on the pathway that were the problem and thankfully serious crime such as this was rare.

“We are used to anti social behaviour in that area with quad bikes but this is in a different league. This attack was particularly nasty.

“As far as this sort of incident is concerned luckily it is isolated.

“The police are treating it as a priority and will apprehend the perpetrators as soon as possible.”

The Mazda was later found abandoned by police.

Police officers are desperately appealing for anybody who might have seen anything suspicious around the time of the robbery to come forward.

Did you see men acting suspiciously in the area? Did you see three men getting into a silver Mazda and drive way?

Anybody who has any information about this incident should contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 101 of November 4, 2015 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.