Five boys have been arrested after police responded to reports of a robbery at the Merry Hill centre during the weekend.

A 17-year-old and his friends were approached by a group of people wearing face coverings at around 6.30pm. The group stole the teenager’s designer bag.

Officers were alerted by security staff who saw what happened and made their way to the scene. On arrival the boys ran off, but police were pointed in the direction of Two Woods Lane by people who had witnessed the incident. 

All five boys, the youngest aged 12 and the oldest aged 15, were arrested on suspicion of robbery. One boy was found climbing a fence, another four were found hiding in a bush.

They remained in police custody yesterday afternoon.