Benfleet: Public appeal after three robberies

Officers investing three robberies in Benfleet are appealing for witnesses to come forward and are conducting high-visibility patrols in the area.

We received a call shortly before 12.20pm today (Tuesday 25 July) reporting two young males had been robbed at knifepoint minutes earlier in the Kents Hill Road area.

Officers quickly attended to support the victims, secure forensic evidence and take first statements.

Shortly after 1pm, we were called to reports of a robbery in Poors Lane.
A male reported he was threatened with a knife by two suspects, who took a sum of cash from him.

Officers were on the scene within ten minutes, taking a statement from the victim and offering him support.

Officers were then called out to Downer Road shortly before 1.25pm today to reports two males threatened a victim with a knife and asked him to hand over his bag.

The victim was unharmed and officers were with him within 15 minutes to take a statement and offer him support.

Colleagues with National Police Air Service authorised an aerial search and are assisting in our efforts to trace two suspects.

Both are believed to be aged around 16, white, with short blonde hair.

One was reported to be wearing an all-grey tracksuit, the other a black and white tracksuit. Both suspects were riding push pikes.

We rely on good links with our communities

Inspector David Kealy, of Castle Point and Rochford Community Policing Team, said:

“I want to assure the community of Benfleet we take all reports of robbery extremely seriously.
“Bringing the perpetrators to justice is a top priority for my team.
“We rely on our good links with the communities we serve, and we need anyone who may have information about these incidents to come forward to us to assist with our ongoing inquiries.
“When these incidents are reported to us, we take action.
“Last month a man was jailed for six years for a robbery over in Hadleigh, while we’ve also made several arrests in the last couple of months in connection with incidents on Canvey Island and those individuals remain under investigation.
“Information you report could help support, strengthen, and solve other offences.
“It also helps us build a picture of where incidents are taking place, identify trends, and focus our resources to where they’re needed most.
“If you have information please tell us and I would urge the public not to try and take matters into their own hands.”

Anyone with information should contact us as soon as possible.

You can let us know by submitting a report online or by using our Live Chat service. 

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