Police want to talk to this man about an attempted robbery. Pic: Metropolitan Police.

Police are hunting for a cyclist who allegedly tried to steal a man’s wristwatch as “compensation” for breaking his bike.

The attempted theft came after the two men nearly clashed on Commercial Road in Tower Hamlets on July 18 at 2am.

Police said the pedestrian shouted at the cyclist “to be careful” after the cyclist nearly crashed into him as he stepped off the bus.

The cyclist then turned round and headed straight for the man on foot.

The pedestrian went into a nearby shop to avoid confrontation but when the cyclist followed him into the shop and tried to steal his wristwatch, a fight broke out.

The pedestrian tried to restrain the cyclist whilst the shopkeeper called the police but the wanted man managed to escape before police arrived.

Police described the cyclist as an Asian man, in his 20s, 5 foot 9 inches tall. He had a short goatee beard and a scar on the bridge of his nose.

He was wearing a dark puffer jacket, dark shoes, a dark cap and blue jeans.

Police are urging anyone with any information to call 101, quoting image 187682, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.