Gang robberies could be linked

The first happened at around 6.15pm on Friday (February 15) where a 15-year-old victim was dragged into an alleyway and threatened with a knife.

The youngster was walking along the alleyway in Palace Street when the group of six males blocked his path. As he tried to pass one grabbed him and demanded that he hand over his mobile phone.

Although he broke free and tried to flee, he was chased and tackled to the floor. Two of the gang then dragged him back to the alleyway and searched him at knifepoint.

Fortunately a brave member of the public intervened and the attackers fled with only the teen’s mobile phone.

Two of the offenders are described as white and in their late teens or early 20s. The first was between 5 ft 9 ins and 6 ft tall, with dark shaven hair and was wearing a light coloured hooded top. The second was around 6 ft, and wearing a black hat and a light coloured hooded top.

A similar robbery took place just after midnight on Sunday (February 17) in an alleyway between Langford Road and Hitchin Street.

This time the 19-year-old victim was talking on his mobile phone when a group of five males blocked his path.

The victim was punched to the ground and kicked in the head and body, while being searched. His phone, tobacco, cash and one of his shoes – a Nike, grey and blue size 10 trainer –were taken.

The offenders are again described as white males in their late teens. One was around 5 ft 8 ins tall and wearing a white hooded top with three green stripes along the arm and black tracksuit bottoms. A second was around 5 ft 10 ins tall, chubby and wearing light grey jogging bottoms, a black hooded top and a blue and purple cap.

Detective Constable Emma Dahl said it seemed likely that the same gang carried out both attacks.

She said: “Both victims have been left extremely shaken up and I hope that someone may recall seeing a group of young men in the two areas at the time of the offences. I’d particularly like to hear from a man and a woman, in their 40s, who were walking near Palace Street just after the first offence took place and spoke with the victim. It is possible that they may have information which could be extremely useful.”

Contact DC Dahl, in confidence, on 01234 275357, the non-emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.