Three teenagers have been arrested after a 17-year-old boy told police he was threatened by two men near The Oval shops in Stevenage last night and robbed.

At around 5.30pm the boy was on his way to the shops from his house in Jessop Road when he was approached by the two attackers.

One of them threatened him and demanded he hand over cash.

The victim ran off to the nearby Co-op store where staff called the police.

Police and an armed response unit attended and arrested three suspects.

A 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, both from Stevenage, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and a 16-year-old boy, also from the town, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. All three have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Detective Inspector Gerry Harrison, from the Stevenage Local Crime Unit, said: “We are in the early stages of the investigation and we are still trying to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened. The prompt attendance by officers meant we were able to quickly make arrests. No property is believed to have been taken by the alleged offenders and the victim was unhurt. He did the right thing and reported the matter to police immediately, enabling us to take swift action.”

If you witnessed the incident or have any information that will help this investigation call 101 quoting crime reference E1/17/600. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.