Youngsters robbed of cash and phones

POLICE are hunting a gang of teenagers who robbed three youngsters of a similar age of their mobile phones and money.

The victims were left shaken by their ordeal, but police have pointed out the futile nature of the crime because the phones cannot be used.

The incident took place on a basketball court near Queensway, Haverhill, at 5.15 pm on Wednesday when youths, two aged 15, and one 16, were playing and had taken off their jackets and put them down.

Three young offenders approached them and became verbally aggressive, and demanded they hand over money and their mobile phones. As they did this, one of the offenders searched through the pockets of the youths' jackets, which had been put in a pile nearby, taking two phones and a small amount of cash.

Pc Leon Mower said: "This was a particularly nasty and unpleasant incident for the youths concerned. Although no one was injured, they were left shaken by the ordeal.

"Thanks to the new Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) launched last year by the Home Office, these phones will be worthless to the offenders. With one phone call to the network provider, the handsets have been rendered useless and barred from use by all networks. There is simply no gain in stealing mobile phones."

Two of the white, male offenders have been described as 14-15 years old, 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build. One had a pale complexion and was wearing a grey hooded top, and the other had dark hair, bushy eyebrows and a mole on the right side of his nose. He was wearing a red New York Yankees baseball cap and a pair of blue jogging bottoms.

The third offender was 16-18 years, 5ft 8ins tall, of larger build with blond or light brown facial hair. He was wearing a dark jacket.

Police have appealed for information on 01284 774100.