Four boys robbed by violent thugs at Trafford Centre as dad speaks out

Four boys were violently robbed by thugs while shopping in the Trafford Centre over the weekend.

The four teenagers from Bolton were approached by a group of three men who used threatening behaviour towards the friends, took a Louis Vuitton hat and pushed a 15-year-old boy when he tried to get it back. The boy’s dad was waiting for his son at the shopping centre when he received a distressing call from him.

Police were called to the incident at around 9.45pm but no arrests were made. The ordeal has left the dad shocked and upset. He told The Bolton News: “[My son] rang me and told me, so I started running across to him and rang 999.

“The police arrived and took all the details. [My son] said he followed the person that took his hat but was pushed away and told to stop with a man reaching into his own pocket. He may have had a knife.”

The dad dropped his son off at the Trafford Centre at around 4pm earlier that day, where he met up with his friends for food and a visit to the cinema. The dad said: “[He] was more worried about losing the hat because he had borrowed it off me and didn’t want to lose it.

“We are very anxious now, and my wife is especially upset with it. I have asked his school to keep an eye on him.”

The dad is concerned with the safety of people at The Trafford Centre following the incident.

He added: “They’re letting people in who may have weapons and that should not be happening. [He] may not want to go back now. They’re looking after a lot of people who shop there so should have safety measures in place.”

A Trafford Centre spokesperson added: “The Trafford Centre is aware of this incident. Greater Manchester Police were called and we are fully cooperating with their investigation. 

“The safety and security of our customers and staff is our number one priority and we continuously work closely with the police.

“If you have any further questions or information, then please contact Greater Manchester Police.”