Knifepoint robbery disrupts Kinver harmony
A teenager was injured during a knifepoint robbery by a gang of men in Kinver - the first crime of its kind in the village in 12 months.
The victim, an 18-year-old man from Stourbridge, was approached by the group who threatened him with a knife and demanded his bag.
He was assaulted after he initially refused to hand the bag over. It contained two mobile phones - a Sony Experia and an Apple iPhone.
The offenders made off with the bag towards the village, some of them riding pedal cycles.
The attack happened around 3.25pm last Friday when the victim was sitting in a wooded area near Marsh playing fields at Kinver Community Centre, off Sterrymere Gardens.
Police are carrying out extra patrols in the village as they say they are taking the robbery 'very seriously'.
Chief Inspector Giles Parsons, Local Policing Team Commander, said: "Fortunately, this type of incident is very unusual in Kinver, there have been no other reported robberies in the past 12 months and generally crime in the area is very low.
"We are treating it very seriously and detectives are carrying out a thorough investigation.
"Local neighbourhood officers are carrying out high visibility patrols in the area to provide reassurance to residents."
The victim suffered facial injuries including bruising and cuts to his neck and hand. He was checked over by paramedics at the scene and later attended Russell Hall Hospital for treatment.
Police say the stolen bag is distinctive, described as a A5 size pouch which is white with a paint splash effect black pattern.
The main suspect is described as an Asian male aged around 17 to 18, of skinny build, 6ft. He had short black hair and wore a white polo t-shirt and blue jeans.
He was accompanied by approximately seven other males aged between 17 and 18. One was white with curly ginger hair and a 'chubby' build while the rest were Asian.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Matt Gould of Staffordshire Police on 101.
