APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER SERIES OF PHONE ROBBERIES IN WALKDEN

Between Monday 4 December 2017 and Tuesday 6 March 2018, police received six reports of children having their phones stolen on their way home from school. 

On one occasion, at around 3.30pm on Monday 4 December 2017, three 14-year-old boys were walking home from school on Worsley Road when they were approached by a man who asked for the time. 

Two of the boys pulled out their phones and at this point, the man demanded their smartphones, saying that he’d hurt them if they didn’t hand them over. 

They gave the man their phones and he then ran off through the nearby woods. 

Around one month later, police were called at around 3.30pm on Tuesday 2 January 2018 to Bradford Road to a similar set of circumstances. 

The most recent theft happened on the same road on Tuesday 6 March 2018. At around 3.15pm a 12-year-old boy had been approached by a man who said “give me your phone before anything bad happens” at which point he handed over the phone. 

In this case, the offender dropped the phone before making off from the scene. 

Officers are now investigating the six crimes as linked given the similarity of the offences. 

Police want to speak to two teenagers, one described as Asian, the other as black, both around 5ft 8 tall, between 15-18 years old of a slim build, in connection with the robberies. 

Police Constable Neil Wright of GMP’s Salford Borough, said:

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“It is concerning that people are targeting schoolchildren for their mobile phones, but both parents and students can be assured that we’ve increased patrols in the area at home time. 

“I’d ask students making their way home from school to be vigilant, and try to avoid drawing attention to any valuable items you may have. 

“As our enquiries into these robberies continue, I’m asking for people who may have seen anyone in the area acting suspiciously or who recognise the descriptions of the men to please get in contact.” 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 325018w/17. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.