City centre security guards praised after catching escaping thieves

Heroic city centre security staff who swooped into action to catch three suspected robbers have been praised by Northumbria Police.

Shortly after 6 pm on Tuesday, January 4 officers received a call from a worried mother, who reported that her 16-year-old had been approached by a group of males while he was with two friends near Old Eldon square, on Blackett Street.

She said that the males had threatened him before making off with some of his jewellery and clothes.

Officers immediately began making enquiries and contacted security staff from Eldon Square – who soon laid eyes on those believed to be involved using their CCTV cameras.

Staff tracked the suspects as they made their way through the city and help guide the Neighbourhood Policing Team to the two males, both 14 years old, who were arrested and then taken to custody.

Following further enquiries a third male, aged 16, was arrested later that day.

The trio have all been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Officers recovered the stolen items, which were then returned to their rightful owner.

Following the incident, Chief Inspector Dave Wheeler has praised the teamwork which led to the swift series of arrests.

He said: “This was an outstanding display of teamwork between staff from Eldon Square and our officers, which has ensured a group of suspected robbers were quickly detained.

“I would like to thank the team at Eldon Square for their swift assistance.

"Thanks to their help our officers were able to quickly follow and detain those believed to be involved in real-time - and security staff were instrumental in helping us to secure this positive outcome.

“Thankfully the victim was physically unharmed and was able to provide us with an excellent description, which has been a huge help to the ongoing investigation.”