Police appeal for information following attempted robbery by teens in Kingsway

Police are appealing for information after a group of teenage boys attempted to rob a woman of her shopping bags in Kingsway earlier this week.

The victim was walking along the footpath off Newhaven Road shortly before 3pm on Monday (15 May) when she was approached by a group of six boys who shouted abuse at her, attempted to steal her shopping and threw a bottle of Lucozade over her.

The boys were described as being white, between the ages of 13 and 17 and all had short dark hair. One of them was riding on a dark coloured racing style bicycle.

Enquiries are ongoing and investigating officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed what took place and has not yet spoken to police.

In particular, they would like to hear from a woman who was with a child and helped the victim following the incident, as she may be able to help with enquiries.

The latest incident comes as officers arrested three teenage boys following an unrelated assault in Kingsway earlier this month.

This incident, involving a different group of boys, happened on Thatcham Avenue between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday 7 May.

Officers became aware of a video recorded on a mobile phone, showing an assault on a teenage boy by two other youths.

Two boys from Gloucester, aged 13 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm. They have been released on bail while enquiries continue with a condition not to associate with one another.

A third boy, aged 14 and from Gloucester, has now been arrested in connection with the incident and currently remains in police custody today, Wednesday 17 May.

Following the arrests, the police engagement vehicle visited Kingsway Local Centre so officers could listen to residents' concerns and offer additional support in reducing crime.

Gloucester's Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Si Motala said: "We are aware of small groups of youths engaging in violent and threatening behaviour in Kingsway.

"We understand that it is creating concern and we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour which is stopping the community from feeling safe.

“I want to reassure residents and businesses that we are keeping a close eye on the situation, and we will take every action available to us to tackle the perpetrators of these incidents.

"I would also ask that any footage of any incidents is not shared on social media, but is brought to our attention as soon as possible so that we can take appropriate action."

Residents are being advised not to put themselves in danger and to call police on 999 if they see a crime taking place and if the offenders are present or nearby.

Anyone with information about the assault of the woman in Newhaven Road is asked to complete the following form, quoting incident 314 of 15 May: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report