Six teenagers arrested after string of knifepoint robberies in Portsmouth

Police officers have arrested six teenagers after six incidents in Portsmouth city centre, and a further attempted robber at knifepoint, on November 3 and 4.

In what police believe are connected incidents, men were threatened by groups carrying knives in Guildhall Square, Commercial Road, Canal Walk and Isambard Brunel Road.

Electric scooters, Air Pods, wallets, phones and coats were all taken at knifepoint by the group.

Now, three 17-year-old men, two 18-year-old men and a 19-year-old man from Portsmouth have been arrested on suspicion of knifepoint robbery and robbery in connection with all six incidents.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We know the harm that knife crime can cause to our communities, particularly our young people, and that it is often linked to drug-related harm, robbery and domestics, with fear of crime often cited as a reason for carrying a weapon.

‘We care about young people and would always prefer to prevent crime rather than detect it as this means something has happened to someone.

‘We never want to see a young person hurt or in trouble if it can be prevented.

‘We will always help if someone feels threatened, frightened or they think they are at risk of harm.’

No one was harmed in the incidents, police confirmed.

It comes as officers from the Portsmouth Neighbourhoods High Harm Team intensify their patrols across the city in relation to Operation Sceptre – a national week of action targeting knife crime.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as our new Puzzles section.