A PAIR of 'Rambo-style' knives were found hidden near a robbery hotspot in Hounslow West, police have revealed.
The blades were discovered by a street sweeper in Heathdale Road, near Hounslow West tube station, where there had been a string of robberies during late summer.
It is believed they were used by crooks who would follow commuters from the station and nearby bus stops and order them to hand over their money at knife point.
Alan Boyle, formerly acting sergeant of Hounslow West Safer Neighbourhood Team, said the offences had dried up since the weapons were discovered 'strategically placed' near the hotspot and two arrests made.
"We liaise with the street cleaners because they see a lot of things happening that we don't," he told the Chronicle. "I was having a chat with one of them when he produced these two large Rambo-style knives, which he said he'd found round the corner.
"The robberies stopped for about six weeks after the knives were discovered but then they started again, this time with bottles being used to threaten the victims. However, since we arrested two men in connection with the robberies they appear to have stopped completely."
The robberies were concentrated around the junction of Heathdale Road and Martindale Avenue, with victims typically men aged 18-30. Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the offences.
