A pair of machete-wielding robbers sparked alarm when they tried to snatch a motorbike at one of London’s busiest roundabouts, witnesses have said.
The intended victim managed to wrestle a huge knife off one of the attackers as they tried to take his bike in traffic around Elephant and Castle roundabout at 6.30pm last night.
One onlooker told The Standard the robbers had “no fear”, adding: “It was crazy to try something at such a busy junction. A lot of people were around coming from different directions. The atmosphere was so still and tense.”
They said after losing the machete the thugs returned with a hammer to intimidate the victim into handing over the motorbike.
The pair riding pillion on a black moped circled the victim in a purple jacket who runs away to the safety of the pavement with the large knife which moments before had been brandished at him, according to witnesses.
One woman visiting from Gloucestershire, told MailOnline: “I was walking back to Elephant and Castle, and something didn’t feel right.
“There was a bike on the floor, and another facing the wrong way. I was walking with my aunt, and I said ‘that man’s got a knife’, I could see the long blade... I just thought I was going to see someone die.
“I live in the country... it was one of the worst things I have ever seen. I just need to go back to the countryside.”
As they tried to flee empty-handed on their moped the pair crashed and fell on the floor, prompting cheering from onlookers, the witness said.
Scotland Yard said no arrests have been made.
