A heroic motorcycle salesman injured fighting off six armed thieves during an attempted robbery has criticised police for wrongly telling him their investigation into the crime was closed.

Sales manager Adrian Couzens was working with his colleague Paul Read at Ducati Croydon in St James Road, when intruders tried to seize two £25,000 bikes on September 4.

CCTV captured the dramatic confrontation and showed Mr Read, 36, beat back three men dressed in biking leathers and helmets who were clinging to a bike, before Mr Couzens, 29, jumped in to help him see off the raiders.

Mr Couzens, who broke his wrist in the fracas, said he was shocked when he was told earlier this month the police investigation had been closed after just four months.

 

But after an inquiry from the Croydon Guardian, Mr Couzens was contacted by the police to be told there had been a mix-up and the case had not closed.

Mr Couzens, determined to see those who attacked him and his colleague, brought to justice, said he would be calling on Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe to explain the lack of progress in the case when he visited Croydon on Wednesday.

He said: "We were told they have no leads, and there is nothing they can do.

"The way it feels to me, it feels as though if the police arrive and they can catch someone there it’s all well and good, but if they have to do some work you get nothing.

"Yes they (the robbers) concealed their faces, but its an organised group, they most know these people."

Mr Couzens said while the officer in the case had kept him and his colleagues well informed, he did not feel as if anything had been done to further the investigation.

A spokesman for Croydon police said: "Officers from Croydon CID continue to investigate an attempted robbery at a motorcycle shop in St James Road, Croydon on 4 September 2012.

"Extensive enquiries have been carried out and enquiries continue into this case. Anyone with information should call Croydon police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."