Teenage boys charged with Grindr date robberies in Birmingham

Three men attacked in separate incidents in Yardley

Two 17 year-old boys have been charged with robbery after attacks on three men who arranged meetings using the dating app Grindr.

The victims were targeted by a group in the Yardley area of east Birmingham in three separate incidents between 5 January and 24 March.

West Midlands Police have arrested five male youths aged between 16 and 18 during the investigation.

One 17-year-old was charged with robbery and appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Saturday.

The second 17-year-old suspect was also charged with robbery and will appear at the same court on Monday morning.

Three other youths were released under police bail following questioning by detectives.

“The investigation into the incidents remains on-going,” a police spokesperson said.

Police have urged the public to take precautions when meeting someone from a dating app, by choosing a safe place in a well-populated public area and telling someone they trust where they are going.

It comes after three Grindr users were targeted in Greater Manchester by a man who demanded their car keys at knifepoint in separate attacks on 25 and 26 March.

David Aroge, 21, has been charged with assault, three counts of robbery and three counts of possession of a bladed article in relation to the incidents in Salford and Bury.