Appeal for information following robberies in Liverpool city centre on Friday, 4 January 2019.



Merseyside Police has stepped up uniform and plain clothes patrols in Liverpool city centre after a group of teenagers carried out five robberies Friday, 4 January 2019.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Ryan explained: "Liverpool has a great reputation as a vibrant and happening city centre and that is well earned due to the hard work put in by organisations and businesses throughout the city. To have a series of five incidents such as this in one night is rare and we are not prepared to standby and watch a group of opportunist thieves prey on people who have come to enjoy what the city has to offer.

"Detectives are currently carrying out extensive CCTV inquiries to identify the individuals responsible and I would urge anyone who has any information, which could help us with our inquiries to come forward as information they have could be crucial in our investigation.

"The first incident occurred at approx. 5.30pm. The two victims who are 15-year-old females were in St Johns Gardens when they were approached by two teenaged females, who asked for a cigarette and then went on to produce a knife and stole cash from both victims.

"The next incident occurred approximately half an hour later, at 6pm outside McDonalds on Lord Street. The victim and a group of friends, who were all aged 15 years, were approached by three females, two described as black and one described as white, and two black males, all described as between 17 and 18 years. One of the females, described as black, tall and with a heavy build, is believed to have produced a knife and threatened them whilst demanding cash.

"At approximately 8pm on William Brown Street, a man and his girlfriend, were approached by four black males and eight females, all described as being approximately 16 years of age. One of the males produced a small knife and stole the victim's watch, earphones and money.

This was followed approximately one hour later by a further robbery at Queen Square bus station. The victim, who was waiting for a bus, was approached by three females who asked if he had change of a £20 note, when he explained that he didn't they then produced a knife and tried to take his wallet from him using force. The offenders then ran off having stolen some cash when another member of the public approached the bus stop.

"A short time later, also in the vicinity of Queens Square bus station, two females and a male approached four teenage female victims and made demands for money. One of the females sustained a cigarette burn before the offenders made off having stolen some money.

DCI Ryan, added: "We are following a number of lines of enquiry and are keeping an open mind, but we do believe that these incidents are connected.

"These are despicable and cowardly acts targeting people in the city and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information surrounding these incidents so we can find those responsible and put them before the courts. “At the time of these offences there will have been plenty of people in the immediate area and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything at all to come forward. I would also ask anyone who was in the area who may have captured anything significant on their mobile phones to get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 19000004878 of 4 January.