Two teenage boys have been charged following a number of robberies and thefts in Gravesend and Medway.

A 16-year-old and 17-year-old from Gravesend, who cannot be named because of their age, have been charged with two robberies.

The first is reported to have taken place between 1.30pm and 1.40pm in Gordon Place, Gravesend on September 25.

The victim was an 80-year-old woman who was walking down the street with her shopping bag when she was surrounded by a group of youths.

One is alleged to have snatched her bag and ran off with it.

The bag, which contained groceries, was later recovered, although the woman’s purse containing a mobile phone and £10 was missing.

The second incident is alleged to have taken place between 10pm and 10.30pm in an alleyway by Chatham railway station on September 27.

The victim, a 23-year-old local man, was walking down the alleyway when he was hit on the back of his head and had his shoulder bag taken.

The offenders searched the bag and stole his mobile phone.

The victim called police, and officers quickly arrested two teenagers in Rochester High Street.

A third teenager, another 17-year-old boy from Gravesend, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and bailed until November 13.

The 17-year-old charged with the two robberies has also been charged with theft and using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of distress in relation to an incident in North Street, Strood, at around 7pm on September 27.

In this incident a man had some money stolen by someone demanding his mobile phone.

Both teenagers appeared in court on September 30 and were released on bail. They will next appear at Dartford Magistrates’ Court on October 8.