POLICE have welcomed the detention handed down to a boy of 15 and his 17-year-old accomplice who robbed a man using a hammer and terrorised shop staff.

One victim was hit on the head with a hammer and had his Rolex watch stolen, another was punched and kicked to the ground in once incident on February 18.

Now the teens, who cannot be identified because they are under 18, have lost their liberty – the younger boy for three years and nine months and the 17-year-old for four years. They admitted the robberies.

Sgt Georgina Green said: "This was a particularly nasty attack, with one of the victims sustaining nasty injuries requiring hospital treatment. Their injuries had the potential to be much more serious than they were.

"The offenders were very aggressive and threatening and this level of criminality, at such a young age, is concerning.

"We will not tolerate this level of behaviour in the Swindon community and will take robust action against violent crime or anyone found carrying weapons.

She added: "Whether adult or youth, they will be held accountable for their actions. The custodial sentences imposed by the courts are a reflection of this and we are pleased with the sentences imposed."

The alarm was first raised at 9.30pm by staff at Greenmeadow Stores in Thames Avenue after the boys went in wearing masks. They refused to remove them and one made off with stolen goods.

In an attempt to detain the other boy the staff member tried to shut the shop door but was grabbed by the throat and pushed into a display stand.”

Just 30 minutes later there was a 999 call from a man reporting he had been attacked with a hammer and robbed.

Police and a dog unit were dispatched and the teens tried to escape on bikes. The 15-year-old skidded and dropped a hammer and balaclava as he ran away but was caught.

The dog located the other teen minutes later in the Pinehurst area.