Gang of Armed Men Target Teen on Moped in Gloucester

A group of masked men armed with a bladed weapon chased a teenage boy on a moped in Gloucester on the evening of October 1, 2023. The incident occurred around 20:50 when the gang, riding e-bikes, demanded the boy hand over his moped. Fortunately, he managed to escape unharmed.

The police reported that all four suspects were dressed in black and wore face coverings. Following this alarming incident, another teenage boy was threatened on October 6 by a male claiming to possess a knife. This encounter took place on Watermint Drive around 11:50. Officers are particularly interested in speaking with the driver of a white BMW five series who may have witnessed the event.

In a separate incident on the same day, two boys were chased near Crypt School in Podsmead by a male on a Surron e-bike, who was also reported to have a knife. The police, supported by the National Police Air Service, conducted searches in the area but did not locate any suspects.

On the night of October 7, another child was threatened with a knife by a group of youths on e-bikes in Quedgeley. Despite officers’ extensive searches, no offenders were found in connection with any of these incidents.

Following further enquiries, a 17-year-old boy from Gloucester was arrested on October 8 on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody. Inspector Ash Gardner addressed the community’s concerns, stating, “These were frightening incidents and we do not underestimate the concern this will have caused. We will not tolerate this sort of threatening behaviour in our communities and are working to identify all of the individuals involved.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information, regardless of its significance, to come forward. In particular, they are seeking any CCTV, mobile phone, or dashcam footage that could assist in their investigation.

The incidents highlight a disturbing trend of youth violence involving weapons in Gloucester, prompting authorities to increase patrols in affected areas. Gloucestershire Police are committed to addressing these issues and ensuring the safety of the community, as they continue to investigate these incidents and seek additional suspects.