Three people were threatened by a knife-wielding gang in York.
Police are appealing for witnesses to two separate incidents within minutes of each other in the Bootham area, believed to be linked.
Attack 1
At about 11.45pm on Friday (May 5), a man and a woman walking along Newborough Street were approached by three men riding bikes from the direction of Shipton Street.
One of the men head-butted the man, aged in his 20s, in the face.
He then produced a knife and demanded that the victim give him his wallet.
The victim walked away from the suspect. No items were taken from him, but he did require hospital treatment for a facial injury.
The suspect was very vocal and aggressive.
Have you seen him?
The suspect is…
| white | |
| about 21 years old | |
| of skinny build | |
| 5ft 7ins tall | |
| with short dark brown hair cut to the same length all over | |
| and brown eyes. |
He was wearing
| a light grey tracksuit | |
| and riding a dark-coloured bike |
Attack 2
At about 11.50pm the same day, another man, aged in his 20s, was approached on Grosvenor Road by three men on bicycles.
One of them produced a knife and demanded the victim hand over his wallet. The victim did so, and the three men cycled off towards Scarborough Terrace.
The stolen wallet was brown leather and contained cash and bank cards.
The suspect also behaved aggressively
Have you seen him?
The suspect is…
| white | |
| in his late 20s or early 30s | |
| 5ft 11ins to 6ft tall | |
| with a heavy eye-brow ridge, flat nose and sunken cheeks | |
| and spoke with a thick accent |
He was wearing
| a grey, loose-fitting tracksuit | |
| over a dark T-shirt | |
| and was on a dark-coloured BMX-type bike |
The other two men were described as wearing dark tracksuits with their hoods up, both riding dark mountain bikes.
Officers from York Neighbourhood Policing Team have been conducting extra reassurance patrols in the area as the investigation into the robberies continues.
Police want to hear from anyone with information about the robberies – contact details below.
How to help the police
| Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for DC Robert Brook of the York Serious Crime Team | |
| Or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 |
| Quote reference numbers 12170077433 and 12170077434 |