Four people have been charged following a spate of knifepoint robberies in Barking, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

The incidents took place on Bastable Avenue, where a group of suspects is alleged to have targeted victims at knife-point. One of the robberies was interrupted by patrolling officers, triggering a foot chase and resulting in the arrest of two individuals.

The first incident occurred during the week of April 7, when officers on routine patrol stumbled upon an active robbery in progress. As the suspects fled, police gave chase and successfully detained and arrested two of them at the scene.

Following further investigations, four men were arrested on April 13 in connection with two separate knifepoint robberies on Bastable Avenue. Police confirmed that a knife and victims’ stolen property were recovered during the arrests.

In an update issued today (April 15), the Met Police confirmed all four men have now been charged with two counts of robbery. Their identities have not been disclosed at this stage.