Two men have been robbed by thugs in the same church grounds in separate incidents within 48 hours of each other in London’s East End.

Now police are appealing for witnesses in the hunt for the youths involved in the robberies at St Dunstan’s Church in Stepney.

The latest incident was yesterday morning (Tues) when three youths on bikes rode up to a 22-year-old man walking through the grounds in Stepney High Street, next to the huge Ocean housing estate, at 9am and threatened him with a knife. They rode off with his wallet with �50.

It followed the first robbery outside the church on Sunday at 6pm when a 28-year-old man was approached by two youths aged about 17 who threatened him before snatching his wallet and mobile phone.

Det Insp John Elliot, of Tower Hamlets’ Serious Crime Unit, said: “A lot of people pass through this area at that time and we’re hoping to find witnesses to help catch these youths.”

Neither victims were injured. Police are asking witnesses or anyone with information to dial 101 or call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.