Police move to calm fears after two knife-crimes in two days in Hitchin.

Officers are reassuring Hitchin residents after a pair of knife-related incidents took place in the town over the weekend.

Police launched an appeal for information after a teenager was stabbed in Hitchin on Friday between Chaucer Way, near to the Red Park play area, and St Michaels Road at the college.

Twenty fours later, on Saturday, three teenage boys were in Purwell Meadows when they have been approached by four teenagers wearing masks.

One has showed them a knife and demanded that two of the boys hand over their coats, which they did. The group then left with the coats.

A 16-year-old boy has since been arrested on suspicion of robbery in Hitchin and is currently in police custody while investigations continue.

However, Detective Constable Paul Fletcher, from the North Herts Local Crime Unit, sought to allay fears, saying: "While we understand that two knife-related incidents in two days will be concerning to local residents, we do not currently believe they were linked.

"We are continuing to investigate both incidents and would appeal to anyone with any information to contact us."