A new mum who had given birth to her first baby only about two weeks earlier was savagely attacked by a gang in a shocking robbery in Dunstable.
The 18-year-old was pushed to the ground, was kicked in the stomach and was robbed of cash and her mobile phone.
Devastatingly, her phone contained precious photographs of her newborn baby.
This week, police said that the mum escaped serious injury but was “extremely distressed” both by the attack and the loss of the treasured baby pictures.
Detectives trying to track down the callous culprits are urging anyone who may have seen the gang before or after the attack to come forward.
The robbers launched their sickening assault at about 7pm on Saturday, November 24.
They targeted the mum as she was walking along High Street North.
When she was close to Grove House, she was approached by the group of four or five youths.
Their faces were covered and they were wearing hooded tops.
She was pushed to the ground, her pockets were searched and the robbers stole her phone and a small amount of cash.
Then one of the gang kicked her in the stomach before they fled from the scene.
Det Sgt Simon Hancock is investigating the alarming attack.
He said: “This has been an extremely upsetting experience for this young woman, who should have been enjoying the early stages of motherhood but has instead been made the victim of crime.”
Det Sgt Hancock wants to hear from anyone who saw what happened or who may have seen the youths in that area before or after the attack.
He emphasised that any information could help in the investigation, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the moment.
Police say that the youths are thought to be teenagers.
The victim believes that two of the youths were white and one of them had blue eyes, while the others were either black or of mixed race appearance.
> Did you see the attack or do you think you saw these youths in the area before or after the robbery?
Anyone who has any information is urged to get in touch with Det Sgt Hancock, in confidence, on 01582 394387, the non-emergency number 101, or text 07786 200011.
Contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or via crimestoppers-uk.org.