Teenagers arrested on suspicion of robbery in Ashton

Police were called to reports of a robbery at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station where two young victims were robbed by a group of five older males.

One man aged 18, two 17-year-old teenagers and a 15-year-old and 14-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of robbery. The 14 and 17-year-old boy were also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

They remain in custody for questioning.

At around 9.15pm last night the victims - two boys aged 13 and 15 - were walking through Ashton bus station when they were approached by the group and split up.

Both victims had items taken from them including mobile phones and airpods. One victim was forced to remove his trainers which were also stolen.

Superintendent Arif Nawaz, of our Tameside District, said: “Response officers attended the scene and spoke with the victims. They were quickly able to establish that the suspects had boarded a tram bound for Manchester city centre.

“They passed this information onto specialist officers on the transport unit who were able to trace the tram. The offenders tried to flee but were quickly detained by officers from our transport unit - one offender was found hiding in a bush by the attending police dog.

“All the offenders were searched and property belonging to all three victims was found on each of the offenders - one offender was even wearing the victims’ trainers.

“During the searches large knives were found on two of the offenders and a screwdriver on another. Our attending officers also found that the five suspects have committed another robbery whilst on the tram.

“This is a great example of proactive policework from our local response and transport teams. Working together, they were able to remove dangerous weapons from theses offenders who were carrying them on the tram network and returned stolen items to the young victims.”