Police officers have arrested 12 teenage boys in connection with a series of robberies

Police have arrested 12 teenage boys from Southampton and Portsmouth on suspicion of robbery.

The arrests come after officers executed 10 warrants this morning (Tuesday 12 October) in relation to a series of knife-point robberies.

Nine of the warrants were carried out at addresses in Southampton and one was in Portsmouth.

The arrests relate to a number of incidents that have taken place in Southampton city centre throughout June, July, August and September this year.

The robberies have been carried out in groups and victims have often been teenagers of similar age walking on their own. On some occasions, the victims have been threatened with a knife.

Last month, the team looking into the series of incidents also arrested three other teenage boys in connection with the crimes. They were questioned by officers and released on bail to allow for further enquiries to take place.

In total, officers have now arrested 15 boys aged between 13-years-old and 16-years-old.

Twelve boys remain in custody today.

Officers are continuing their enquiries in relation to these incidents and increased patrols will continue in the area.

Detective Sergeant Russ Smith said: “We fully understand the impact these types of crimes have on victims, as well as parents and on communities. We want to reassure you that we are working hard to identify all those involved and keep people safe.

“If you have any concerns or information please don’t hesitate to speak with patrolling officers or get in touch by calling 101 or online quoting reference 44210357746.

“Tackling violence and knife crime in our city remains an absolute priority for us but it depends on partnerships across a number of sectors, not just the police, it includes education, housing, social and youth services. Every agency is crucial in supporting the city move towards a future free from violence and tackling the root causes of violent crime.

“We urge communities to keep reporting intelligence around knife crime so that together we can continue to tackle this threat in society.”

To do this people can call police on 101 or report online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/

Alternatively people can report 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

If you are a young person concerned about someone carrying a knife, or that someone will get hurt, you can tell police without having to say who you are, by reporting anonymously online at Fearless.org