POLICE are "keeping an open mind" over any link between two Bournemouth robberies which took place a couple of hundred yards away from each other in the space of seven hours.

The two muggings took place in residential areas near King's Park on Thursday, February 4.

Detectives have launched investigations into both incidents, with Dorset Police appealing for witnesses.

It has been confirmed that there will be an increased police presence in the area following the robberies.

Any residents with concerns should speak with officers, Dorset Police said.

The first robbery occurred at around 3.30pm, when a 13-year-old boy was walking in the area of King's Park Road when he was approached by two teenage boys, who were riding on Beryl Bikes.

They demanded the victim’s coat before assaulting him. The two teenagers cycled off with the coat, which contained £20 cash in a pocket. The victim sustained a cut and swollen lip and a cut to his nose.

In a statement Dorset Police said both of the offenders are described as being around 15 or 16 years old.

One is described as being less than five feet nine inches tall, of slim build and was wearing a black tracksuit with a hood and a black mask covering most of his face.

The other is described as mixed race, taller than five feet nine inches and of slim build with black curly hair. He was wearing a grey or silver jacket or hooded top that had a zip across the body and was also wearing a face mask.

DC Jo Regan, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This must have been a frightening incident for the victim and we are carrying out a full investigation to identify the individuals responsible.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed the robbery, or who saw two teenagers matching the descriptions given in the area on the afternoon of Thursday, February 4, to please contact us.”

The second robbery took place shortly before 10pm just a couple of hundred yards away in the area of Thistlebarrow Road near to the Vitality Stadium.

Dorset Police received a report at around 9.55pm on Thursday 4 February 2021 that a man was being treated by the ambulance service for stab wounds to his legs in Windham Road.

The 18-year-old reported he had been walking along an alleyway when he was approached by two male teenagers on bicycles.

They asked for the victim’s phone, but he refused, and they punched him in the face several times. The victim fell to the floor and saw one of the offenders holding what he believed to be a small blade.

He handed over his phone and left the scene in the direction of Ashley Road. He then realised he had sustained a stab wound to each leg. He was taken to hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening and subsequently released.

The force, once again, released descriptions of the offenders, which in relation to the evening robbery said they were both described as mixed race and aged in their mid to late teens.

One of them is described as five feet six inches tall and of slim build and was wearing a black hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and a black face mask.

The second is also described as being of slim build, slightly taller and with short brown frizzy hair. He was wearing a black hooded top and black jogging bottoms.

Detective Inspector Andrew Kennard, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We are carrying out a detailed investigation into this robbery and I am appealing to anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please contact us.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who has seen two teenagers matching the descriptions given in the area at the time of the incident and would urge any residents with home CCTV cameras or motorists with dashcam who were in the vicinity to please check their footage for anything relevant.

"We are aware there was another robbery in the area earlier on the afternoon of Thursday, February 4, and we are keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents could be linked.

"There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers can be approached by members of the community with any concerns."

Anyone with information relating to the King's Park Road robbery should contact police at dorset.police.uk, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210021360.

Those with information in connection with the Thistlebarrow Road mugging should make contact through the same channels, but quote occurrence number 55210021531.