Police have said they will move to reassure cyclists following a number of violent robberies.

Over the last month there have been more than five gang attacks on people biking through the Walthamstow Marshes area, according to reports.

Three men were arrested on April 9 in connection with the attacks but other suspects remain unidentified, according to police.

Now the Waltham Forest Borough Commander Mark Collins said he would carry out high visibility bike patrols and work with the council to increase CCTV and lighting in the area.

He was speaking in response to criticism from Simon Munk of the Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign who claimed police reaction to the attacks have been shockingly poor.

He said: “We are aware that a number of robbery offences have occurred recently in the Walthamstow Marshes area and as a borough we are committed to preventing them and bringing the offenders to justice.

“I have tasked my officers to make contact with the cyclists affected to reassure them and provide support."

The Borough Commander said Sergeant Jay Champion has been assigned to manage this issue.

Chief Supt Collins continued: “He will utilise a range of tactics including high visibility patrols both on foot and bike and joint patrols with the park wardens.

“He will also link in with the local authority to see if lighting or CCTV can be implemented to deter criminals and capture evidence of those committing crime.

“I would also urge members of the public who see offences taking place, or suspect a group to be about to commit a crime to call police on 999.”

Simon Munk said the Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign welcomed the move but expressed concern as to how long patrols will last.

He said: "the marshes routinely have raves and parties on, are a site for fly-tipping and other anti-social behaviour and now we've had a spate of muggings - following on from a series of sexual assaults a few years ago.

"Rather than wait until the next time something else happens before any type of response, we'd like to see regular patrols on the marshes and CCTV - particularly covering the 'cattle creep' low bridge at the end of Coppermill Lane.

"We are worried that in a few weeks, these measures will just disappear once the current issues have disappeared.

"If we want more cyclists in the borough the police have to take all crime against cyclists more seriously not just bike thefts and muggings, but careless and dangerous driving too."