Two teenage boys have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of bike robberies in Leamington and Warwick.

Police were called to Old Warwick Road in Leamington shortly before 8pm on Friday (21 July) after a report of two people being threatened and having their bikes stolen.

A number of bikes were recovered while officers arrested a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy – both from Birmingham – on suspicion of robbery.  

They have been released on bail pending further enquiries until October.

It comes after an incident in St Nicholas Park in Warwick on Monday last week (17 July).

Three teenage boys were reportedly threatened with what is believed to be a bladed article around 3.30pm before their bikes were stolen by a group of teenagers who rode off in the direction of Emscote Road.

The force believes the incidents are linked.

South Warwickshire Area Commander, Chf Insp Faz Chishty said: "I would like to reassure the community that we are continuing to investigate both robberies, which we are treating as linked at this time.

"As part of our investigation, we were able to recover a number of stolen mountain bikes and have arrested two teenage boys from Birmingham.

"Reassurance patrols will continue not only through the coming week, but also over the course of the summer as well.

"We will be carrying out further enquiries as we continue to investigate the circumstances of both robberies and would ask anyone who knows anything about either one to get in touch.

"Any information – no matter how small – may be significant, so if you know something or saw something, please get in touch."

Anyone who has any information about either incident is asked to contact the force quoting incident number 312 of 21 July (Old Warwick Road) or 233 of 17 July (St Nicholas Park).

Following the incidents, local MP Matt Western has urged locals to report any incidents to the police.

"I was incredibly concerned by the reports of bike thefts across Warwick and Leamington, particularly that one school pupil had been threatened with a knife in St Nicholas' Park," the MP for Warwick and Leamington said.

"No child should feel unsafe going to or from school, nor should any parent have to worry about their child's safety on their commute to school.  

"It is appropriate that police patrols have been stepped up in the area and that two arrests have been made since the incidents. It is really important that any incidents are reported to the police, so they have all the information available.  

"I will continue to monitor this serious issue and please do not hesitate to get in touch with me with any concerns."