A spate of armed robberies by groups of men in Luton this week have prompted a warning from police for people to take extra precautions to remain safe.
Offenders wearing hooded tops and scarves over their faces threatened a 24-year-old man with a knife in Ashburnham Road on Monday.
He was forced to hand over his iPhone5, laptop, iPod and wallet before the robbers ran from the scene across Brantwood Park.
On the bridge in Roman Road on Wednesday, a 20-year-old man was threatened with a knife at around 8.30pm, but managed to run away without handing anything over.
Three offenders described as men with an Asian appearance between 16 and 19 years old were involved in this incident, which is believed to be connected to another incident on the bridge at 8.50pm.
A group of teenagers once again stopped a man, aged 18, demanded he hand over his BlackBerry and pushed him to the ground.
He suffered a small cut to his leg and the robbers left the scene with his mobile phone and fled towards Marsh Road.
At around 11pm, a group of men of Asian appearance stopped a man at the rear of the Sainsbury’s car park in Francis Street and took his iPhone 5.
The final incident happened shortly after as the victim was walking on the ramp of the underpass in Telford Way, at its junction with New Bedford Road. The 28 year old victim was surrounded by a group of men; all of Asian appearance and assaulted.
Three of the group took the victim’s iPhone 5 before leaving the scene towards the overpass.
Officers from South Bedfordshire Robbery Team, are keen to speak to anyone who saw any of these incidents or saw a large group of men in the Telford Way area on Wednesday night.
Call Beds Police on 101 with information.
Crime prevention advice from Beds Police:
Stay sensible - being under the influence of drink (or drugs) can significantly increase your chance of being a victim of robbery. Be sensible in how much you drink and look after your friends.
Stay aware - using headphones means you are unlikely to hear someone approaching you until it is too late.
Stay secure - don’t advertise your valuables; keep them in pocket or handbag out of sight. Check it is safe before you use your phone. Make sure your phone and other valuables are security marked and registered on www.immobilise.com. Also think about downloading a tracker app to help the police trace your phone if it is lost or stolen.
Stay calm – always report the offence immediately to the police. Try to remember what the offender looks like and was wearing, with a good description and your quick action officers will have a good chance of catching the offender.
Stay safe - keep to main roads with streetlights and avoid dark alleyways and shortcuts though parks. Tell a responsible person when you will be home. Carry a personal alarm.
Stay together - make sure everyone gets home safely either with the group or in a taxi.
If you have information relating to any of these incidents you can contact the South Bedfordshire Robbery Team, at Luton Police, Station, in confidence, on 01582 394471, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.