Man is robbed after night out (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Man is robbed after night out

A ROBBERY victim says he fears the gang will strike again unless they are caught quickly.

Alan Reynolds, 22, had to be taken to the Great Western Hospital after he was mugged as he walked home alone from a night out in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Three attackers repeatedly punched him and stole £10 and a packet of cigarettes as he walked through the alleyway parallel to Fleming Way, near Greggs bakers.

Alan, who only moved to Swindon from Cardiff just three days ago to try to find work and is staying with a friend in Stratton, said: "They were waiting for someone to rob.

"I was scared because I didn't know if one of them had a knife or something and I was thinking I was going to get stabbed and still be lying there now.

"I know it sounds extreme but I might not have been their first victim and if I was why would they stop at one?

"Hopefully they won't but I think they will do it again and if they do I will be distraught. It's scary stuff. They need to be caught."

Police have warned the public to take precautions after a recent spate of handbag snatches and robberies in the town.

Bob Walton, crime prevention officer, said: "Don't walk or jog alone, especially after dark. Avoid short cuts and deserted areas and after dark avoid areas where you feel at risk because of overgrown shrubbery.

"Be aware of your surroundings and avoid using personal stereos or radios you might not hear anyone approaching.

"Carry your bag close to your body, if possible with the opening towards your body try not to overload yourself with items. Make sure it is securely fastened.

"Carry keys separate from handbags and avoid carrying large amounts of cash and don't be flash with your mobile or cash."

Anyone with information on yesterday's robbery should contact Swindon Police on 01793 528 111 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Swindon police spokeswoman, Alvina Kumar, said: "We have a small team of dedicated officers who analyse offences, establish who is vulnerable, what areas are vulnerable, whether offences are linked and potentially who offenders are.

"By using these means we are able to put resources into the rights area to prevent more offences occurring as well as arresting those responsible."

Two teenagers have phones stolen

Police are appealing witnesses after a 19-year-old man was robbed at knifepoint.

The victim was attacked in Morley Street, near Commercial Road, just before 3pm on Monday, June 13.

He was approached by three youths who pinned him against the wall and held a knife to his throat forcing him to hand over his wallet, containing £40 cash, an imitation Rolex watch and a Samsung D55 mobile phone.

The first suspect is described as a white, 5ft 8ins tall, slight build, about 15 or 16 years old. He was wearing a white hooded top with the hood pulled up, jeans and white trainers.

The second is also white, 19-years-old, 6ft tall, skinny build. He was wearing a white Nike baseball striped top.

The third is white, 6ft 2ins tall, muscular build, aged 19 or 20 years old, with short spiky blond/brown hair. He was wearing a white Tommy Hilfiger cardigan style top, jeans, white trainers and carrying a Nike drawstring backpack.

In a separate incident, a 16-year-old girl had her mobile phone stolen by three men as she waited for a bus. The girl was stood at the bus stop in Drakes Way, opposite Burger King, when she was approached by the three males just after 5.30pm on Thursday. They snatched her phone and headed off towards Queens Drive.

The main suspect is white, in his late teens, tall, of skinny build, with short blond hair. He was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms and riding a red mountain bike.

Anyone with information on either attack can call Swindon police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar, said: "The victim, although not physically hurt, was very shaken by his ordeal."

Anyone with information should contact Swindon Police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Gareth Bethell