Police Warn Teenagers After Robberies
9 August 2010, 10:19 | Updated: 9 August 2010, 10:22
Detectives in Leighton Buzzard are urging teenagers to be on their guard after two robberies on local footpaths over the last few weeks.
On the 28th July at around 4.15pm, a 15 year old school boy was walking home on the cycle path between French’s Avenue in Dunstable and Stanbridge when he was approached by two men. One of them blocked the boy’s path and asked for a cigarette and money but the victim refused. The other man, who was on a bicycle asked what the boy had in his pockets and the victim was made to hand over his phone.
Both men are described as white, approximately 18 years old and 5’ 11” tall. One man had brown hair and was wearing a green and black hoody. His bicycle was a green BMX with black tyres and a dented cross bar. The other man had short blonde hair, freckles on his face and was wearing a white hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms.
Earlier in the month on the 21st July at around 1pm, two 18 year olds were approached by a group of 6 white youths on bicycles aged between 16 and 18. The victims were walking along the towpath near to Willowbank Walk in Leighton Buzzard when they were told to “Empty their pockets”. The victims handed over their property including wallets and phones before the group started to attack them causing bruising along with minor cuts and grazes.
The offenders then fled towards Meadow Way. One of the two leading offenders is described as a white youth around 17 years old. He was wearing a black t-shirt, a grey coat and a cap that had no shade at the front. The second lead offender was wearing all black and was approximately 16 years old.
Investigating Officer, Det Con Michelle Sears said: “These were both unprovoked attacks on young people as they went about their daily business. Fortunately none of the victims were seriously hurt but the incidents have left them shaken. We are keeping an open mind as to whether the offenders involved in both robberies are connected but we would ask people using local towpaths and footpaths to be vigilant.”
“Be aware of your surroundings and try to avoid distractions such as listening to music as these not only prevent you from hearing what’s going on around you but they also alert would-be thieves to what you may have in your possession.”
Anyone with information should contact DC Michelle Sears, on 01582 473055, Bedfordshire Police on 01234 841212, or text to 07786 200011 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.