Police in Ealing are appealing for help with identifying suspects in two robberies of teenage victims.
Detectives believe the two incidents are linked.
The first robbery occurred on Tuesday November 25 at about 7.20pm outside Durden Park in Lady Margaret Road, Southall, when a 14-year-old boy and three friends were approached by three suspects.
The friends ran off leaving the young boy surrounded.
Suspect one demanded to be given any possessions the boy had and when he refused to hand over his phone he was threatened and told he would be stabbed. The first suspect then removed the boy’s phone and oyster card from his trouser pocket before all three suspects ran into the park.
Suspect one is described as male, black, 20-25 years old, medium build, with dark short hair - box style on the front, dark skin, light stubble on his cheeks, large full lips and wearing a dark hooded jacket.
Suspect two and three are described as male, black and wearing black hooded jackets.
The second robbery happened on Sunday November 30 just after 5pm, when a 14-year-old boy, a 14-year-old girl, and a 13-year-old girl were at Northala Fields in Northolt.
The boy was approached by two men while the girls walked up the hills. He was asked by suspect one if he had just robbed his brother of his mobile phone.
The boy walked away but all three victims were confronted a few minutes later after coming down from the hills.
Suspect one grabbed hold of the 14-year-old boy by his hooded top, pulled him away from his friends, and his pockets were searched by suspect two.
The first suspect then shouted at the girl victims with threats to stab them, demanding mobile phones. The three phones were handed over.
Suspect one has been described as male, black, about 20-23 years old, 5ft 8ins to 6ft tall, muscular/stocky build, with black dreadlocks between his ears and shoulders, wearing a black waterproof jacket possibly with a green ‘E’ logo on the left, black jeans and black shoes.
Suspect two has been described as male, black, about 18-20 years old, Somali in appearance, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, skinny, wearing a black waterproof jacket possibly with a green ‘E’ logo on the left, black jeans and black shoes.
Detective Constable Mary Purcell, Ealing CID, said: “I urgently need information to catch the suspects in these two robberies. In these cowardly acts, they seem to be targeting victims younger than themselves who are easily intimidated and are unlikely to retaliate.
“I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity at the time of these two incidents and may have witnessed or heard anything, to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ealing CID on 101 quoting reference 2529390/14 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
