by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

A vicious gang who have been brutally robbing train passengers of their mobile phones are being hunted by police.

The gang has carried out a series of robberies on trains in and out of Medway.

Police say they are becoming "increasingly violent" and have even slashed one teenage victim's eyebrow with a knife.

Officers also said the ringleader, a black man with a shaved head, should not be approached and are advising people to dial 999 if they see him.

Detectives from the British Transport police have issued CCTV images of the gang and would like to hear from anyone who recognises them.

The gang have stuck four times in less than two weeks, on the North Kent line and all four victims, who are men, are aged between 16 and 27, have had their mobile phones stolen.

The first robbery happened on the Gillingham to Charing Cross Service, on August 24 at 8.24pm.

The victim, a 16-year-old man from Herne Bay, refused to hand over his phone, so he was hit by the ringleader about the face and body before he cut his eyebrow with a knife.

Fearing for his safety, the teenager handed over his phone before the robbers fled the train at Abbey Wood station.

The second was on September 6, on the 10.30pm service from Rochester to Blackheath.

A boy of 16, was violently attacked and hit multiple times across the head and face.

He was left with severe bruising to his right eye, nose and left ear, but managed to keep hold of his belongings.

The third robbery happened the next day, September 7, on board the 7am Gravesend to Strood service.

The gang targeted a Gravesend man 27, as he made his way to work.

Shortly before the train arrived at Strood, the gang grabbed his rucksack and knocked him to the floor.

They then kicked and punched him about the head and body, taking his phone before fleeing the train at Strood.

The next day they stuck again on board the 11.50am service from Higham to Gravesend.

They targeted a 24-year-old Chatham man who was travelling with a friend.

The gang told the man to hand over his mobile phone before punching him in the side of the head

As he was punched the victim let go of the phone and the gang grabbed it and fled the carriage.

The ring leader is then thought to have left the train when it arrived at Gravesend.

DC Jeffrey said: "These were deeply shocking and distressing incidents for the victims.

"Although robberies of this kind are very rare on the rail network, these recent incidents have become increasingly violent and we are determined to catch whoever is responsible.

"We are making local enquiries, including working closely with colleagues from Kent Police, and ask anyone who recognises the man pictured to come forward."

The ringleader, is black and of stocky build and is about 5ft 7in thought to be aged between 20 and 25.

He is believed to have been involved in all four robberies, and officers believe there are different gang members on each robbery.

Anyone with information about the robberies should call 0800 405 040.