Police appeal for information after mother of young child robbed in broad daylight

Wiltshire Police are investigating a robbery that happened in Tidworth earlier this week after a young mother’s handbag was stolen by a group of teenagers. Anyone with information is encouraged to get in touch.

The incident happened between approximately 2.05pm and 2.30pm on Monday 18th October.

A 21-year-old woman was pushing her young child in a pushchair along Drummer Lane near the NSPCC Service Centre, passing a group of seven teenagers.

As she passed the teenagers, one of the girls in the group shouted at the woman before one of the boys stood in front of the pushchair blocking the woman’s path. The girl became aggressive towards the woman and her baby before the boy assaulted the woman, causing her to suffer ligament damage.

During the assault, the other members of the group made off with the woman’s handbag. Three bank cards were taken out of the bag while the rest of the contents of the bag was dumped on the ground.

The group, believed to have been made up of three girls and four boys, made off on foot towards Station Road.

One of the suspects is described as a white girl, aged between 13 and 15, of large build and approximately 5 ft 3 inches tall. She was wearing a short black puffer jacket, with the hood up, grey joggers and white Nike Air Force trainers. She had dark coloured hair and was wearing bright red lipstick.

Another suspect is described as a white boy, aged between 13 and 15, of slim build and approximately 5 ft tall. He was wearing a black hooded waterproof jacket with the hood up, black joggers and black trainers.

A third suspect is described as a white boy, aged between 13 and 15, of average build and approximately 5 ft 3 inches tall. He was wearing a black hooded jacket with the hood up, with a white top underneath. He was wearing black joggers and white trainers.

A fourth suspect is described as white, aged between 13 and 15 and of large build. He was approximately 5 ft 1 inch tall and was wearing a black jacket, a dark grey zip-up Adidas hoody with a white logo. He had a black t-shirt underneath the hoody and was wearing black joggers and dark blue trainers. He had light brown hair.

PCSO Michael Farebrother said: “This incident happened in broad daylight and was understandably extremely upsetting for the victim and her young child who were both left extremely shaken up as a result of the actions of this group.

“Extensive enquiries are currently being carried out and we would urge any witnesses or anyone with information in relation to the identity of those involved, to call 101 and quote crime reference number 54210101880. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111“.