Luton Sixth Form College has warned students to be aware after a 16-year-old boy was attacked by a gang of robbers in an alleyway.
Safety advice has been issued after the attempted mugging at 5.45pm yesterday (Wednesday, March 5).
The victim had just left the college site and was walking along the path between Bradgers Hill Road and Elmwood Crescent when he was confronted by three men, who were all wearing hoodies.
They demanded his mobile phone and then beat him with knuckle dusters when he refused to hand it over.
Students, who had just returned from a regional cricket tournament in Milton Keynes, and staff ran to help the victim, and the attackers fled. Emergency services were called and the boy was taken to hospital. His condition is not known.
Minutes before the attack, the gang had carried out another robbery on the footpath between Bradgers Hill Road and St Thomas’ Road. They threatened an 18-year-old man with a stick and stole his mobile phone and iPod.
The offenders were all wearing dark-coloured coats with the hoods up. One was black, another Asian and the third of mixed race.
Police are currently investigating both incidents. Anyone with information should call the non-emergency number 101. Students can also report information to college security staff.
Estates manager Tony Whitehead called on students to be extra vigilant when walking to and from college. “Be street wise,” he said. “We advise students to keep their phones well hidden and to avoid using the alleyway if possible. If you have to walk down it, do so with extreme caution and keep in large groups.”
Mr Whitehead added: “I would like to thank the students and staff who went to the lad’s aid, and also a neighbour who had heard the commotion from her garden and came to offer her help.”