OFFICERS are linking two violent street robberies that took place in the space of ten minutes.

The first took happened at 9.20pm on Friday, December 28, near to the junction of Norden Close and Queen Mary Avenue.

A man wearing a hooded top threatened a 56-year-old man with a broken glass bottle, and demanded cash. But he ran off towards The Vyne Community School’s playing fields when he was challenged by another member of the public.

At 9.30pm, a 42-year-old man was approached by a robber who said he had a knife and demanded cash or a mobile phone.

When the victim refused, he was headbutted. The man made off with some coins from Jersey and Guernsey.

The attacker is described as white, with short, dark hair and about 5ft 8ins tall.

Police staff investigator Alex Wheatland said: “These two incidents are being linked and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious to contact me.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who knows if there are any attempts made to use these coins at local businesses.”

Anyone with information can contact PSI Wheatland at Basingstoke police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.