A group of up to eight men have stolen phones and air pods from three victims in Reading town centre - with police looking for a group of women who appeared to film the incident. 

The incident occurred at the junction of Garrard Street and Merchants Place in the town, just after 8pm on Sunday, November 3. 

Between five and eight male offenders robbed the other group, stealing personal items including phones and air pods, although these were recovered at the scene, according to Thames Valley Police. 

One suspect, a 26-year-old man, from Reading, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has since been released on police bail until 27 January 2025.

The other suspects are all described as five white males and a male of mixed ethnicity, aged around 17 to 18 years-old.

They were all of athletic build, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Tara Foreman of the Reading Priority Crime Team said: “I’m appealing to anybody who was in the vicinity of Garrard Street on the evening of 3 November to get in touch with Thames Valley Police if you think you witnessed this incident.

“You can contact us by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43240532156.

“Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“I believe that there were a group of females possibly filming the incident on their phones, and so I would urge those people to please get in touch with us.”