MUGGING victim Graham Britten has blamed the spiralling drug culture for an increase in street robberies in Trowbridge.

Father-of-two Mr Britten, 44, was knocked unconscious and robbed in a vicious attack near Trowbridge Park.

The Bowyers worker, who was on his way to a nearby nursery to collect his four-year-old daughter, said the daylight mugging made him fear for the safety of others.

Trowbridge detectives are investigating two street robberies in as many days, but are being hampered by a lack of witnesses and CCTV footage.

Mr Britten, of Downside View, has no memory of the robbery, which happened close to the wooden footbridge at the rear of Tesco at about 11.15am on March 11.

Speaking of his ordeal, he said: "I was lucky to see the next day. The next person might not be so lucky. I would rather have given those robbers £15 rather than lose my wallet in that way.

"I am sure it is drug related. I think drug related muggings are getting worse, especially in Trowbridge.

"A lot of people have told me they will not walk towards the park that way any more.

"I can't understand why someone would do something like this in the middle of the day. They are just

mindless thugs. It is very frustrating not to remember what happened."

Mr Britten said he is finding it hard to understand why potential witnesses did not come to his aid.

"When I woke up I saw a woman with a child in a pushchair," he said.

"I started walking towards the park and I saw this old couple and told them I got attacked. They carried on walking.

"I cannot understand why people did not stop and help. People are more frightened to help these days."

Former Trowbridge mayor Jeff Osborn said the Good Samaritan culture was fading out.

"I would condemn people just walking past. It helps these criminals get away with it," he said.

"People should not just expect the police to be there all the time. We should take more responsibility for other people."

Detectives are appealing for the elderly couple and the young mother to come forward to help with the investigation.

Officers are continuing inquiries into a second mugging at St Stephen's Place multi-storey car-park at 4.30pm on March 10.

A 64-year-old man was pinned to the ground by one robber standing on his head, while a second man stole his cash and cards.

Wiltshire detectives are linking-up with colleagues in Avon and Somerset to follow up potential leads.