Four boys have been bailed in connection with an alleged series of attempted robberies in Romford.

Police confirmed yesterday (January 9) that a total of four boys have been bailed after a reported spate of robberies across the town on Sunday (January 7).

This included two alleged incidents in The Brewery shopping centre.

The boys had all been arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.

"Violent behaviour will not be tolerated in our town centre and to anyone visiting Romford intent on committing such crime they will be dealt with robustly," a spokesperson from East Area Police said.

The first reported incident was at 3.30pm in The Brewery shopping centre where an off-duty police officer allegedly saw an attempted robbery by two boys.

He alerted his colleagues who arrested the pair on suspicion of attempted robbery.

Later that evening the mother of a boy, who was allegedly subject to an attempted robbery with his friends on St Edwards Way, called police.

At around 3pm the boy and his friends, all 16, were allegedly approached by a gang armed with a knife who demanded to see their phones.

Nothing was taken and the boys were unharmed, police said.

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Police were then called to South Street at around 7.15pm after reports another robbery had taken place.

Again, the alleged victims were boys and a knife was seen, police added.

Officers subsequently arrested two boys.

A knife was recovered, as were items belonging to the 16-year-old boy.

Police were then called at 7.40pm, again to The Brewery, after a report a gang of youths had attempted to rob a group of young people.

"One person was left with a cut lip and chin but no property was taken," police said. 

These incidents remain under investigation and police continue to support those affected.

If you have any information call 101 quoting CAD 5307/7Jan.

"In addition to our response team officers and neighbourhood officers, we have a dedicated town centre team patrolling the area and responding to incidents," police added.