Detectives in Portsmouth are issuing an appeal for witnesses after a robbery in the city centre. It happened at 11.30pm on Monday October 26 at Winston Churchill Avenue.
A 19 year old man was walking with a group of friends close to a Spar supermarket when another man approached the group. The teenager went to talk to the man, away from his friends, and was then subjected to threats with a knife. He handed over £20 cash and his mobile phone. The robber made off but was then chased by one of the group-who recovered the mobile phone.
The robber then ran off along Melbourne Place. He is described as:
• White
• 19-20 years old
• 5ft 5
• Average build
• Wearing a black baseball cap and black tracksuit
Detective Constable Pete Bambury who is investigating said: “This happened on a busy street—and even at that time of night, people would have been walking around. This is an unusual crime for that area. I feel sure someone must have seen what happened.
“We have now recovered the knife and are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry to identify this man. Luckily no one was hurt during this incident and the bravery of the friend is to be applauded.”
Can you help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Pete Bambury on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 0845 045 45 45.
