A MOPED was stolen after the rider was forced off the road in Christchurch.

The incident unfolded on Barrack Road at around 10.25am on Sunday morning (September 22), police said.

A moped rider – in his 20s – was making his way along the road, in the direction of the Iford roundabout, when a black or grey BMW approached as they got near the Esso garage.

The vehicle forced the moped – a Honda – off the road and stopped next to it.

“The front seat passenger exited the vehicle, and the moped rider left the scene on foot as he felt threatened,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“The male passenger from the BMW then got onto the moped and rode off toward the Iford Roundabout, with the BMW following.”

PC Rachael Birch, of Bournemouth East and Christchurch police, said: “We are carrying out a detailed investigation into this incident and I am keen to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information that might assist our enquiries.

“In particular, I am keen to hear from any motorists who may have captured relevant dashcam footage. I would also urge residents in the vicinity with home CCTV systems or doorbell cameras to check their footage for anything that might help us to identify the vehicle involved.”

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240146111. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online via Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.