by Lynn Cox

Detectives are investigating two robberies which happened over two days in Gillingham.

Officers say a 16-year-old boy was walking along an alleway at a recreation ground in Beechings Way, Gillingham, towards Charing Road when he was approached from behind and was spun round and punched in the face.

His attackers took £20 cash from his pocket and stole his mobile phone.

The incident happened near to the end of the alleyway between 11.45am and 11.55am on Easter Sunday, April 8.

The next day, which was Bank Holiday Monday, at about 8.50pm and 55-year-old man was walking along Haig Avenue, in the town approaching Sturdee Avenue, when he was approached by two men.

One of the men asked him for a light, the victim told them he didn’t smoke, and one of the men then hit him in the face and grabbed his wallet, and both men then ran off.

The offender is described white, stocky, 6ft tall, wearing a black and white speckled hooded top. He spoke with an Eastern European accent. The other man did not take part in the robbery.

It is not known if the robberies are connected.

If you were in the area and witnessed anything, call police on 101 quoting crime reference numbers XY/10948 for the first incident or XY/11025 for the second.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.