POLICE are hunting robbers after two muggings within hours at the weekend. Officers have appealed for witnesses and information about two separate robberies in Hitchin on Saturday night and Sunday morning. At about 10.45pm, three men, one carrying a base

POLICE are hunting robbers after two muggings within hours at the weekend.

Officers have appealed for witnesses and information about two separate robberies in Hitchin on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

At about 10.45pm, three men, one carrying a baseball bat, got out of an old-style silver Peugeot while a third stayed in the car, and approached a group of people walking along Burford Way and demanded property.

A 17-year-old gave them his jacket which contained a mobile phone and a 15-year-old handed them his mobile. The men then drove off towards the junction with Bedford Road.

The first man is described as white, aged 18 to 20, around 5ft 6ins tall, with a slim build and short black hair. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a dark hooded top.

The second is white, also around 18 to 20 years old, with a slim build and also wearing a dark hooded top.

The third man is white, aged 20 to 22, between 5ft 9ins and 5ft 11ins with a slim build. He was wearing a dark blue or black sweatshirt, a dark woolly hat and a black scarf.

The fourth man, the driver of the car, is described as white, aged 25 -30 and was wearing a baseball cap.

In the second incident a man and a woman robbed a man in Ransom Playing Fields between 2am and 2.30am taking his phone, bank card and a small amount of cash. They then made off on foot towards Nightingale Road.

It is believed they had been sitting on a bench near to the Nightingale Road entrance to the park before the theft.

The woman is described as white, aged between 20 and 24, around 6ft tall with a medium build and brown hair. She was wearing a black hooded jumper.

The man is also white, of a similar age, height and build and was also wearing a black hooded jumper.

Investigating officer, Dc Will Ainsworth, said: "I am keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have seen these incidents, particularly on Burford Way, as this is a busy road. I would also urge anyone who believes they recognise the offenders from the description to contact the police."

If you can help call 0845 33 00 222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.