Police Hunt Britain's Youngest Armed Robber - Aged Nine

Police Hunt Britain's Youngest Armed Robber - Aged Nine
Ben Lack

Police have released CCTV footage in the hunt for an armed robber – who's only about nine years old.

The blonde-haired boy - believed to be Britain's youngest armed robber - told his 11-year-old victim he had a knife before forcing him to hand over a new pair of trainers.

He was helped by an older schoolboy accomplice.

They struck as their victim left a sports shop after buying the training shoes with his birthday money.

His trainers, still in their box and bag, were snatched just moments after he left the Foot Locker store in Leeds city centre, West Yorkshire.

The terrified schoolboy's friend, aged 13, was also forced to hand over a small amount of cash by the young thugs.

Both robbers then calmly walked away with their booty in broad daylight.

Shocked West Yorkshire Police have now issued CCTV images of the pair and are appealing for information about the robbery last month.

The younger suspect was white, about nine years old and skinny. He was wearing white Nike Jordan trainers.

The older boy was black and wearing Nike Air Force trainers.

Anyone who recognises them should contact Detective Constable Matthew Egan via 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

A police spokesman said: "A 12 year old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident. "He is currently in custody."

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