Two men robbed at knifepoint in separate muggings in a south London park may have been targeted by the same gang, police have said.
The first attack saw a 21-year-old man stabbed in the back of both his thighs after two hooded men approached him and demanded that he give them his cash.
The thugs ran off with his phone and bag after he fell to the floor following the assault in Kennington Park during the early hours of July 24.
In a second incident just two days later (July 26), an 18-year-old man was forced to hand over his phone to a group of three men who threatened to stab him.
The trio fled the scene shortly after the assault at 1pm, police said.
Detectives investigating the robberies, which they think could be linked, are warning people to ensure their valuables are hidden when they are outside.
Trainee Detective Constable Kamran Yaqub, of the Lambeth Robbery Squad, said: “I believe these offences may have been committed by the same suspects. We take street robbery very seriously and want to catch these suspects before further offences take place. We advise the public when they are out, where possible, try and keep any valuables hidden."
He added: "Smart phones and tablets are becoming must have items for many people including criminals, so we would encourage people to keep them out of sight. I would also encourage anyone who has been the victim of a robbery or an attempted robbery in the area to report the crime, even if they did not initially wish to do so, in order to assist us with the investigation."
The suspects are described as black, between 5'5" - 5'11" and of athletic to medium build. They were dressed in dark tracksuits and two wore bandanas covering half their faces.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lambeth's Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit on 020 8649 2135 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
