Yahoo News Police probe string of robberies as teens fall victim to 'three men'
Two boys were ordered to hand over their mobile phones in the latest robbery in a Staffordshire town. And police say the victims had been 'approached by three men' near to Tamworth's Ankerside Shopping Centre before the ordeal.
Now the force has urged witnesses to come forward as officers believe a number of recent robberies have been carried out by the same offenders. The latest incident took place around 4.20pm on November 9 where two boys and two girls, all aged 15, were near the shopping centre on George Street.
Investigating officers say one of the victims was taken towards the castle grounds and told to hand over his mobile phone along with £50 in cash. Another boy was also told to give them his phone.
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The suspects then left the scene - with one said to be wearing a balaclava. Police say an area search was carried out but none of the suspects were found.
Neighbourhood officers investigating the robberies in the town have confirmed on each occasion mobile phones have been swiped. Commenting on the latest incident PC Venus Wakley said: "Thankfully, no-one was injured but both young victims and the girls they were with at the time of the incident were understandably very scared and left shaken by their ordeal.
“An investigation is continuing and officers are viewing CCTV from the area. We are investigating a number of robberies in the area recently and believe the same offenders, a group of teenagers, are involved.
“On each occasion mobile phones have been taken from victims. During one incident a gold bracelet belonging to a victim’s late-grandad was stolen.
“I am urging anyone with any information, particularly dog walkers who may have witnessed the incidents, to get in touch with us.”
Witnesses should call 101 and quote incident 501 of November 9.
