Two teenagers and three man were threatened by knife-wielding robbers on mopeds in five separate linked incidents in High Wycombe and Marlow over the weekend.

At 8:45pm on Friday, two 15-year-old boys were walking down Hunt Road in High Wycombe when they were stopped by two men on a moped.

The thugs told the boys to hand over their belongings and threatened them with a knife. The boys did not have anything and were patted down by one of the suspects.

The suspects then rode off empty-handed.

In a similar incident in Marlow, a man was approached by two men on a moped with a knife at 2.30am on Saturday.

They forced him onto the moped and took him to a cash machine at Maple Service Station, in Little Marlow Road, to withdraw money.

The victim was overdrawn so no money was handed over, but the men then took his phone.

At 3.15am on Saturday, a man was at an ATM on Desborough Road, High Wycombe, when two men on a moped approached him, pulling out a knife and demanding money.

They were challenged by a passer-by and rode off with nothing.

At 3:30am on Saturday, a man was walking along Jubilee Road, also High Wycombe, when he was approached by two men on a moped.

One of the men had a knife in his hand. The victim questioned them and told them he did not have anything to give them. The men walked away with nothing.

Police said no-one was injured as a result of any of the attacks and they are treating the incidents as linked.

They believe two people are responsible for all five attempted robberies.

The two offenders are described as men in their late teens to early twenties. They were wearing black or white motorbike helmets.

The moped involved is described as being silver or black in colour.

Investigation officer DC Amy Hennah, based at High Wycombe police station, said: “I am appealing for anyone who witnessed any of these incidents or has information that may assist with this investigation. These are concerning incidents and it is fortunate that more has not been taken.

“If you have any dashcam or CCTV footage from these areas around the time of these robberies then I urge you to review the recordings and get in touch if you have captured anything.”

Anyone with information or footage can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 43180214107, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Neighbourhood inspector Jonathan Chandler said: “We take incidents like this very seriously and my team and I will be patrolling the area and working with local schools to reassure the community as well as reminding individuals to stay vigilant when out and about in the evenings.

“Stay alert to spot anyone suspicious and to remain aware of your surroundings. Plan your route and think about what to take with you, especially if you’re going somewhere you haven’t been before.

“Stick to busy, well-lit streets, walkways and paths which are more likely to be covered by CCTV.

“Incidents like these are rare but be mindful and keep your valuable items, including expensive jewellery, hidden or covered when walking down the street.”