Picture: Fleming Road & Weymouth Drive where the incidents happened
The first happened on Saturday at 11.50pm in Weymouth Drive to a 17-year-old girl and three boys aged 15 as they were walking near to the roundabout junction of Mayflower Road and Lancaster Road.
They were approached by seven men and one of the teenagers had a knife held against his throat whilst another was placed in a headlock.
The men forced them to hand over their phones, wallets and other belongs and were left shaken but unharmed.
A short time later at 12.10am on Sunday an 18-year-old man was waiting for a taxi near to the Tesco car park on Fleming Road when he was approached by a group of seven people who demanded he walked to the cashpoint and withdraw money.
After he refused he was knocked to the floor and left with cuts to his lip and eye. The men then made off with his wallet and phone.
Detectives are investigating both robberies and believe they may be linked.
Detective Sergeant Tim Littman, of Grays CID, said: “Given that both robberies involved a group of seven people and how close in time and place they occurred we believe they are linked.
“We not only want to hear from anyone who witnessed either of these incidents but we are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen this group in the area acting suspiciously who could help us identify who they are.
“All of the victims involved in these incidents are just teenagers and have all been left shaken by what happened. Please do the right thing by giving us any information.”
Witnesses or anyone with information can contact Grays CID on 101 or Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Tags: Grays
