UK Police Hunt Thugs Behind Train Robberies
Posted: 10 Sep 2010, 21:17
Police Hunt Thugs Behind Train Robberies
6:10pm UK, Friday September 10, 2010
Richard Williams, Sky News Online
Detectives investigating a spate of violent robberies on trains around London and Kent have issued CCTV images of their main suspects.
Thugs left two teenagers and two men in their 20s with a series of injuries during four separate attacks carried out over little more than a fortnight.
British Transport Police (BTP) said one man thought to be involved in all four of the "deeply shocking and distressing" incidents should not be approached.
He is described as black, aged between 20 and 25, 5ft 7in high and of stocky build with a shaved head.
Police believe he committed each robbery with different groups of people.
A 16-year-old boy became the first victim when he was approached by two men on board the 20:24 Gillingham to Charing Cross service on August 24.
They cut his eyebrow with a knife before he handed over his mobile phone and the crooks fled the train at Abbey Wood.
A second attack saw another 16-year-old boy violently assaulted on the 22:30 Rochester to Blackheath service last Monday, but his lone attacker fled empty-handed.
A gang kicked and punched a 27-year-old to the floor in another robbery, the following day on the 07:00 Gravesend to Strood service. They took his mobile phone before fleeing the train at Strood.
The most recent attack, on Wednesday, saw a 24-year-old on the 11:50 service from Higham to Gravesend punched in the head by a thug who escaped with his mobile phone.
Detective Constable Marie Jeffery, of the BTP's robbery squad, said: "These were deeply shocking and distressing incidents for the victims.
"These recent incidents have become increasingly violent and we are determined to catch whoever is responsible."
6:10pm UK, Friday September 10, 2010
Richard Williams, Sky News Online
Detectives investigating a spate of violent robberies on trains around London and Kent have issued CCTV images of their main suspects.
Thugs left two teenagers and two men in their 20s with a series of injuries during four separate attacks carried out over little more than a fortnight.
British Transport Police (BTP) said one man thought to be involved in all four of the "deeply shocking and distressing" incidents should not be approached.
He is described as black, aged between 20 and 25, 5ft 7in high and of stocky build with a shaved head.
Police believe he committed each robbery with different groups of people.
A 16-year-old boy became the first victim when he was approached by two men on board the 20:24 Gillingham to Charing Cross service on August 24.
They cut his eyebrow with a knife before he handed over his mobile phone and the crooks fled the train at Abbey Wood.
A second attack saw another 16-year-old boy violently assaulted on the 22:30 Rochester to Blackheath service last Monday, but his lone attacker fled empty-handed.
A gang kicked and punched a 27-year-old to the floor in another robbery, the following day on the 07:00 Gravesend to Strood service. They took his mobile phone before fleeing the train at Strood.
The most recent attack, on Wednesday, saw a 24-year-old on the 11:50 service from Higham to Gravesend punched in the head by a thug who escaped with his mobile phone.
Detective Constable Marie Jeffery, of the BTP's robbery squad, said: "These were deeply shocking and distressing incidents for the victims.
"These recent incidents have become increasingly violent and we are determined to catch whoever is responsible."