Five teenage boys have been arrested and charged in connection with a robbery at Stevenage Leisure Park on Saturday afternoon.

At around 4pm, the suspects entered the leisure park from the train station and approached three 15-year-old boys. They then allegedly threatened the boys with an imitation firearm and backed one up against a car before stealing his coat, which contained a bank card, before heading back to the train station.

Officers from British Transport Police were quickly alerted and the five suspects were arrested on a train at Peterborough. They were then brought back to custody at Stevenage Police Station.

"Detectives carried out a swift and intensive investigation to secure charges and the five teenagers appeared at Hatfield Remand Court this morning (January 22)," a spokesperson for Hertfordshire police said.

All were charged with two counts of robbery, attempted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

They are due to reappear at Stevenage Magistrates Court on February 1. All are from London and aged 15 or 16.

Detectives are keen to speak to any witnesses who were in the area at the time of the incident. Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Jones said: "We are particularly keen to speak to a woman in a white Mini who we think was nearby when the robbery occurred.

"The suspects are black males who were wearing black clothing and balaclavas at the time of the incident.

"The leisure park was busy at this time, so we think there could be several people who saw the incident and who we have not yet spoken to. If this was you, please contact us as soon as possible."

You can email DC Jones directly at christopher.jones2@herts.police.uk or you can report information online at orlo.uk/5engt, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat at orlo.uk/R5ctr or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/5503/24.

Alternatively, you can stay anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.