Police patrols stepped up in Cannock as two groups of youths are threatened with knives

Staffordshire Police are asking for help in investigating two incidents in Cannock town centre where two groups of youths were threatened and robbed by separate residents around the town.

The first incident took place on Market Street at around 4.40pm on Sunday, February 23, and say a group of four boys approached by a group of eight or nine teenagers. 

The group threatened the four boys with a knife that was concealed in the waistband, demanding the boy's phones and bank cards. 

In the incident, a 15-year-old boy had his phone, watch, bank card, coat and electric scooter stolen, and was also punched in the face.

Three other boys, all aged 14, also had their phones stolen. 

The suspects were described as all wearing black clothes and face masks, with a number of them riding electric scooters. 

Staffordshire Police searched around the town centre, train station and the surrounding area, however, there were no further sightings of the group. 

'Increased patrols'

A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "Four teenage boys were approached on Market Street at around 4.40pm on Sunday (23 February) by a group of eight or nine teenagers. The four boys were threatened with a knife was that concealed in the waistband of one of the teen’s trousers. 

"Officers searched the town centre including the train station and the surrounding area but there were no further sightings of the group."

In another incident which took place on Wednesday, February 26, two teenage boys were approached by two other teenage boys and a teenage girl while sitting on a bench outside JD Sports on Market Street at around 4.25pm.

The group asked if the two teenagers had hotspots on their phones, but the victims walked away, after walking away one of them was grabbed by a black teenage boy with dreadlocks.

The other suspects were described as a black teenage boy with short hair and a white teenage girl. Nothing was stolen and no one was injured. 

A police spokesperson said: "We have increased patrols in the area to try and identify the suspects and offer reassurance to the community. Local officers have reviewed CCTV footage and are progressing with enquiries. 

"We are also liaising with British Transport Police and West Midlands Police."

Anyone with information on the two incidents can get into contact with Staffordshire Police via their 101 number, or alternatively on the Live Chat service on their website, quoting log reference number 487 of 23 February.