Four teenage girls arrested after robberies in city

Four teenage girls have been arrested and bailed following a series of robberies in Leicester's Belgrave area.

Leicestershire Police said it was investigating two robberies on 6 April and a further two the following day.

Police said that in one incident, at about 17:00 BST on Tuesday, a woman in her 80s had her purse stolen while walking along Melton Road. She sustained a broken pelvis and was taken to hospital before being discharged to a rehabilitation facility.

The teenagers, 13, 14, 17 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and have been released on police bail while inquiries continue.

Police said on 6 April, at about 19:15, a teenage girl who was with two other girls was threatened and had her e‑scooter stolen near the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Loughborough Road.

Later that evening, at about 20:30, a woman in her 20s had her mobile phone taken as she cycled through Rushey Fields.

During the incident, the woman was hit in the face and suffered cuts, police said, adding that her phone has since been recovered.

The following day, after a woman in her 80s had her purse stolen, a teenage girl was attacked at 19:15 in Melton Road, where she was hit in the face and pushed to the floor before her bag was taken.

Det Con Zaeema Osman said: "The incidents are being treated as linked and we have made a number of arrests.

"The four girls have been bailed while our investigations continue. As part of our inquiries, we would like to hear from anyone who was in the areas at the times these incidents occurred or was driving past and may have captured dashcam footage.

"Local officers are carrying out patrols in the area, and anyone with concerns or information can speak to them."

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