Teen arrested after boy threatened by masked gang

Gloucestershire Police is investigating a series of threats made towards other teenagers

A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of robbery after a gang of masked teenagers chased a boy on a moped.

Gloucestershire Constabulary is investigating a series of incidents in Gloucester involving teenagers chasing and threatening other teenagers with a knife and attempting to rob them.

A 17-year-old boy from Gloucester was arrested on Wednesday morning in connection with the incidents. He remains in police custody.

"These were frightening incidents and we do not underestimate the concern this will have caused," said Insp Ash Gardner.

Police said the first incident happened on 1 October at about 20:50 BST, when it was reported that a group of males on e-bikes had chased a boy on a moped.

After managing to stop the boy, they demanded he hand over his moped, before one of the suspects swung a bladed weapon at him, police said.

The boy was able to ride off and escape the group with no injuries.

The group of males was described as being dressed in black with face coverings.

On Monday, police were made aware of another incident on Watermint Drive at about 11:50 BST, when a boy who claimed to have a knife threatened and chased a teenage boy.

Police also received numerous reports on Monday afternoon that a male on an e-bike was seen chasing two boys close to Crypt School in Podsmead.

Additional patrols

The e-bike rider had a knife on him, police said, and so armed officers searched the area with support from the National Police Air Service, but could not locate any suspects.

On Tuesday, another report was received that three youths on e-bikes had threatened a child with a knife on Bristol Road, in Quedgeley.

On all occasions, police were unable to catch the offenders, despite officers searching the area.

Officers are now conducting additional patrols in the area and asking anyone with CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage to come forward.

"We will not tolerate this sort of threatening behaviour in our communities and are working to identify all of the individuals involved," said Insp Gardner.