Police Investigate Two Violent Southsea Robberies

15 October 2013, 06:33 | Updated: 15 October 2013, 06:35

Police are investigating two separate violent robbery attempts in Southsea, a day apart.

In the first, a 49-year-old man was walking southbound along St David’s Road shortly before half past midnight on the morning of Wednesday 9 October.

He became aware of two people walking behind him.

The victim refused a demand for money from one of the men. As he walked away, he felt a blow to the back of his head, and continued to walk away south along St. David’s Road. He wasn't injured and nothing was taken.

The two men walked away in the opposite direction.

The first suspect was described as white, approximately 20 years old, medium build , 5 ft 10 ins tall, dark stubble, and wearing a dark grey hooded top.

The second suspect was described as white, aged in his late teens, 5 ft 9 ins tall, baby face, clean shaven, slim build, wearing a hooded top.

Detective Constable Matthew Gamblen said:  “We are appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may know the suspects described in this unprovoked attack.”

In a separate incident the next day, a woman was robbed.

She was walking along an alleyway between Cleveland Road and Brittania Road North when a man walked past her and grabbed her handbag.

He pulled the woman backwards causing her to fall to the floor and the bag strap to rip.

The man has then run off with the bag into Britannia Road North before getting onto a bike and cycling off, turning onto Victoria Road North.

It happened between 9.40pm and 9.52pm on Thursday 10 October.

The suspect is described as a white man in his mid to late 20s, wearing dark clothing.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Dinenage said: 

“We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this robbery or who saw anything suspicious in this area on Thursday evening (10 October). With the dark nights closing in, it is important that you are aware of the dangers of walking the streets alone and if you see anything suspicious to make the police aware by calling 101.”