Masked gang of robbers strike again as they steal from teenagers in Tamworth
by Daniel Newbould, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/daniel-newbould/ · Birmingham LiveA masked gang of robbers struck again as they stole from more teenagers - taking money and mobile phones. We told earlier this month how police were hunting a gang of up to 20 teenagers after three separate robberies on the same day.
The latest reported incident happened on Saturday afternoon, November 9. Multiple police officers were pictured near the entrance to the Ankerside shopping centre.
Staffordshire Police confirmed: "We are appealing for witnesses after two teenagers were robbed in Tamworth.
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"At around 4.20pm on Saturday, two boys and two girls, all aged 15, were approached by three men near the Ankerside Shopping Centre on George Street.
"One of the victims was taken towards the Castle Grounds and told to hand over his mobile phone, alongside £50 in cash. Another boy was also told to hand over his mobile phone. The suspects then left. One was wearing a balaclava. Officers attended the scene and searched the area. However, no suspects were found."
Px Venus Wakley, from Tamworth local policing team 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 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.”
Anyone with any information should 101, quoting incident 501 of 9 November, or use Live Chat on the police's website. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.