Police arrest three teenagers on suspicion of robbery in Gloucester

Three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of robbery after a number of young people were robbed in Gloucester city centre on Wednesday (12 April).

The series of incidents are believed to have happened between around 4pm and 6.30pm and involved a group of teenagers, some of whom were using e-scooters and had their faces covered.

In one incident two teenage boys were approached by a group of boys and girls on Eastgate Street between 4pm and 5pm. It was reported that the boys robbed the victims of cash.

In another incident between 6pm and 6.15pm outside the bus station on Station Road, a boy was approached and asked to empty his pockets and his bag. Cash was stolen and, when he refused to hand over his phone, he was pushed over.

Threats of violence had also been made during the incidents, which police were alerted to after concerned parents made contact.

Following enquiries which included a CCTV trawl, three arrests were made by specialist officers from the Gloucester and Forest Vanguard Team, with support from Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Three boys from Gloucester, two aged 13 and one aged 16, were arrested yesterday (Thursday) on suspicion of robbery. They were later released on police bail with conditions which include to not enter parts of the city centre, and one also had a condition to not be in possession of an e-scooter.

Sgt Matt Puttock, from the Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "These incidents would have been frightening for the young victims involved, especially with the threats of violence which they were faced with.

"This behaviour is unacceptable and we appreciate that this will likely cause concern for parents whose kids might be spending some of their time in the city centre during the remainder of the school holidays.

"Our officers will be patrolling the city and anyone who has concerns is asked to please speak with us."

The investigation into the robbery series is ongoing and anyone who witnessed any of the incidents, or who has information which may assist, is asked to contact police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 363 of 12 April: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/