Police appeal following street robberies

Date published: 25/09/2006

Police in Rochdale are appealing for information following two street robberies on Monday 18 September.

Both happened between 5.30pm and 6pm. During one of the incidents an 18-year-old man was walking along with his girlfriend from Edinburgh Way towards Sandbrook Park near to the Aldi Store when he was approached by two men who demanded his phone.

The man ignored them and one of the men then knocked him to the ground and threatened him. He managed to struggle free and ran away.

At around the same time two boys, aged 14 and 16, were riding pedal cycles from Sandbrook Park towards Edinburgh Way when four men, aged between their late teens and early 20s, chased them and pulled them from their bikes.

They then stole a mobile phone belonging to one of the boys and attempted to steal the other boy's bike but were disturbed by a passer by. Police are keen to trace this person.

Anyone with any further information on these incidents is asked to contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8428 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

A 21-year-old man from Rochdale and a 20-year-old man of no fixed address were arrested on suspicion of robbery and attempted robbery. A 16-year-old boy from Rochdale was arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery and possession of cannabis. All three have been bailed until 29 November 2006 pending further enquiries.