A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after a doctor was robbed on his way to work at a hospital in Essex.
The victim was marched to a cash machine and forced to withdraw money in Harlow on Wednesday night.
Police said the doctor was on his way to a hospital when two people on foot and one on a bicycle demanded that he take out cash.
He took out a “two-figure” sum before his bank card was returned.
The news comes as a national salute is set to take place to honour the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle the coronavirus outbreak.
The 14-year-old local boy was arrested on Thursday morning but Essex Police are still trying trace two other suspects.
Police linked the robbery, which began at around 9.25pm in Market Square, to two other incidents in the town which happened in less than an hour on Wednesday night.
At around 9.50pm a second victim was approached outside a McDonald’s restaurant by one person on a bike and two on foot.
He ran from the group after he was asked for a cigarette and money.
A third victim was approached in Fifth Avenue shortly after 10.15pm but escaped unharmed after three people threatened to stab him.
The force said in a statement: “A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of robbery after several offences in Harlow town centre last night, including the robbery of a doctor on their way to hospital.
“The first victim, the doctor, was approached at the Lloyd’s cashpoint in Market Square at around 9.25pm.
“They escorted him to another cashpoint and withdrew a two-figure sum of cash before returning the bank card to the victim.”
Anyone with information is being urged to call Harlow CID on 101 and quote the crime reference number 42/46217/20 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.
