Portsmouth Attacks Could Be Linked

8 October 2013, 07:56 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police are trying to find out if the same gang carried out three attacks and robberies on men in Portsmouth early on Sunday.

A 21-year-old was robbed in Canal Walk, a 20-year-old was attacked off Winston Churchill Avenue, and a 31-year-old was beaten up and robbed in the same area. 

Two of the victims were students, and officers are warning them to stay safe walking home. 

In the first assault, a 21-year-old man was walking home by himself when a group of young men approached him in Canal Walk outside Windsor House between 1.30am and 1.45am on Sunday, October 6, 2013. 

The group of four to five young men, believed to be aged in their late teens, attacked the man and he fell to the floor. 

One of the group then stole the victims iPhone 5 before running away towards Railway View. 

Investigating officer Detective Constable Steve Bourne said: 

''The victim has informed the police that immediately after the robbery, he saw two other men walking along the road. 

''Police are seeking those people to come forward because they may have been witnesses to the robbery or the group responsible''. 

Between 2.30am and 3am on Sunday, October 6, 2013, an attempted robbery took place in Somers Road near the junction with Winston Churchill Avenue. 

A 20-year-old man was walking home when he was approached a group of young men, some of whom were on bicycles. They asked for his phone, he refused and the group ran away. 

The victim has told police he was approached again a short time later by the same apparent group. Two of them assaulted him. He received injuries to his face, and is receiving medical attention in hospital. 

A 31-year-old man was walking through the alleyway from Winston Churchill Avenue to Tipton House play park when he was approached by a group of young men, one of whom was on a bike. 

The victim was asked for his personal property by the group. When he ignored them, he was tripped over and then kicked by the group while on the floor. 

The offenders ran away in the direction of Wellington Road after the robbery, which happened between 3am and 3.30am on Sunday, October, 6, 2013. 

The 31-year-old received bruising and is recovering at home.