Appeal for witnesses after knife-point robbery in Bedford
Bedfordshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information following a knife-point robbery in Bedford earlier this week and is urging the public to remain vigilant.
In the early hours of Tuesday (24 March), shortly before 3.20am, officers were called to reports of a robbery in the alleyway between Kimble Drive and Aylesbury Road in Bedford.
Two teenagers were approached by three men, one of whom produced a knife and threatened them before demanding one of the boys hand over his bike.
The offenders then made off in the direction of Kimble Drive.
One of the suspects is described as white, approximately 20 years old, around 6’5”, slim, with brown eyes. A second man is described as around 5’7” and slim, while the third is described as white, approximately 5’10” and slim. All three were wearing black clothing, black shoes and balaclavas.
The stolen bike is described as an electric blue Silverback bicycle with bold orange wording on the side.
Detective Chief Inspector Dale Mepsted, from Bedfordshire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, said:
“Personal robbery causes distress, both to the victims themselves and to the wider community. We are urging anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or has doorbell or dashcam footage from around the location at the time, to contact us.
“Our community policing teams are patrolling the area in both plain and marked vehicles in an effort to find and apprehend these suspects and stop them from causing more harm.”
Contacting police
Anyone with information is asked to report it online at:
https://www.beds.police.uk/ro/report/
or call 101 quoting reference 039 of 24 March.
In an emergency, always call 999.
Personal safety advice
To help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of robbery, police are advising people to:
Stay alert to your surroundings – criminals often take advantage when people are distracted. Wearing headphones or looking down at your phone can reduce your awareness of what’s happening around you.
Plan your route – stick to well-lit paths and busy streets where possible, and avoid shortcuts through dark alleyways or secluded areas.
Trust your instincts – if you feel uneasy or think someone may be following you, change your route immediately and head towards a well-populated area or into a shop where you can safely call for help.