Hampshire Constabulary

Police in Portsmouth are appealing for information after a robbery in Queens Street, near to The Hard, Portsmouth.

Between 11.15am and 11.30am on Friday, July 11, a 17-year-old boy from Waterlooville was walking to the Co Op to use the Post Office, and he was carrying a rucksack.

The boy was approached from behind by a man who grabbed the rucksack and pulled it from the boy’s shoulders, as the boy turned and tried to keep hold of the bag.

The man said, “Give me the bag”, and there was a struggle before the man managed to pull the bag from the boy’s grasp and ran away into either Hawke Street or Wickham Street, where he was joined by a second man and they ran away.

The boy was very shaken and suffering from shock, and was taken to the Oueen Alexandra hospital but required no medical treatment.

The rucksack was light blue with ‘Quicksilver’ written across it. Inside the bag was a small green bag that looked similar to a pencil case, and had ‘till 1’ written on it. The green case contained £1600 in cash, which were takings from the shop where the boy worked.

The first man is described as:

• White, with tanned skin
• Around 2ft 2ins tall
• Stocky build
• Deep voice, with a local accent
• Wearing a camouflaged balaclava, and also wearing black shoes

The second man, who was seen to join the first man after he had taken the bag, is described as:

• White
• Pale complexion
• Slim build
• Slightly shorter than the first man
• Short spiky black hair
• Wearing dark blue jeans and a dark raincoat, which looked like one worn in colder, winter months

PC Richard Long said, “This appears as though it could have been a premeditated incident, and I would appeal for anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact police as soon as possible.”