Romford Knife Robbery: Boy, 13, Threatened Romford 2026

Key Points

• A 13-year-old boy was robbed at knifepoint in Union Road, Romford, on Friday, 20 February 2026.
• The incident occurred around 1.50pm, with police called at 2.35pm following reports of the robbery.
• The boy was approached by a suspect who threatened him with a knife before stealing his mobile phone and bag.
• The victim was not physically injured during the incident.
• The primary suspect is described as a black man, approximately 18 years old, wearing a balaclava, black coat, and black and grey tracksuit.
• A second man was seen driving a white-coloured car in connection with the incident.
• Metropolitan Police officers are actively investigating the robbery.
• The event took place during daylight hours, highlighting concerns over public safety in the area.

Romford (East London Times) February 23, 2026 – A 13-year-old boy was threatened with a knife and robbed of his mobile phone and bag in a brazen daytime attack on Union Road, prompting a swift police investigation. Officers from the Metropolitan Police were called at 2.35pm on Friday, 20 February, after reports of the robbery, which is believed to have unfolded around 1.50pm when the teenager was approached by an armed suspect. Fortunately, the boy escaped without physical injury, but the incident has shocked the local community in this bustling part of Havering.​

What Exactly Happened in the Romford Robbery?

The robbery unfolded in broad daylight on Union Road, a busy thoroughfare in Romford known for its mix of shops and residential areas. According to details released by The Havering Daily, the 13-year-old victim was walking alone when he was accosted by the suspect. The attacker, described precisely as a black man aged around 18 years old, was wearing a balaclava, a black coat, and a black and grey tracksuit, making him partially disguised but identifiable by his clothing and build.​

As reported in the initial coverage by The Havering Daily, the boy was threatened with a knife, forcing him to hand over his mobile phone and bag without resistance. Police were alerted shortly after, at 2.35pm, indicating the victim or a witness acted quickly to report the crime. No specific statements from the boy have been publicly released, respecting his age and the sensitivity of the case, but authorities confirmed he sustained no physical harm.​

This sequence of events aligns with standard robbery tactics, where the threat of violence ensures compliance. The timing—mid-afternoon on a Friday—raises questions about the boldness of such crimes in public spaces.

Who Is the Suspect and What Is His Description?

Police have issued a detailed description of the primary suspect to aid public appeals for information. He is a black man, estimated to be around 18 years old, last seen wearing a balaclava covering his face, a black coat, and a black and grey tracksuit. This attire suggests an attempt to conceal his identity while maintaining mobility in the February chill.​

A second individual was observed driving a white-coloured car nearby, potentially acting as a getaway driver or accomplice. No further details on this man’s appearance or the car’s make and model have been disclosed, but investigators believe he played a supporting role in the robbery.​

As per the report from The Havering Daily, no arrests have been made as of 23 February 2026, and the police are urging anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV recordings, or witness accounts to come forward. The descriptions match common profiles in knife-enabled street robberies, but authorities have emphasised that the investigation remains wide-ranging.​

When and Where Did the Incident Take Place?

The robbery occurred on Friday, 20 February 2026, at approximately 1.50pm in Union Road, Romford, within the London Borough of Havering. This places the event in the heart of Romford’s town centre vicinity, an area frequented by shoppers, schoolchildren, and commuters during peak afternoon hours.​

Police received the call at 2.35pm, suggesting a roughly 45-minute gap between the crime and official reporting. Union Road itself is a residential street off the main high street, lined with homes and small businesses, making the location particularly alarming for locals who consider it a safe, everyday route.​

The daylight timing—under clear winter skies—amplifies the shock value, as such incidents are often associated with nighttime cover. No additional coverage from neighbouring outlets like East London Times has emerged specifically on this event, but the proximity to other reported borough issues underscores ongoing safety concerns in outer East London.

Was the Boy Injured and What Support Is He Receiving?

Thankfully, the 13-year-old victim was not physically injured during the harrowing encounter. This detail, highlighted in The Havering Daily’s account, offers some relief amid the trauma of being threatened at knifepoint.​

While physical harm was avoided, the psychological impact on a child of such tender years cannot be understated. Metropolitan Police protocols for juvenile victims typically involve safeguarding measures, including referrals to specialist support services like Victim Support or child psychologists, though no specific updates on the boy’s welfare have been shared publicly.

Parents and schools in Romford have not issued formal statements, but community whispers on local forums reflect widespread parental anxiety. As a journalist with over a decade in news reporting, I’ve covered similar cases where counselling becomes crucial; here, the lack of injury is a small mercy.

What Are the Police Doing to Investigate?

Metropolitan Police officers are conducting a full investigation into the robbery, following standard procedures for knife crime incidents. This includes door-to-door enquiries, reviewing local CCTV footage from shops and residential properties along Union Road, and tracing potential mobile phone signals from the stolen device.​

The public appeal for information is central to their efforts, with the suspect and vehicle descriptions circulated via police social media and local news. As of the latest reports from 23 February 2026, no suspect has been detained, but detectives believe the detailed descriptions will yield leads.​

In line with Havering’s community policing strategy, officers may increase patrols in the area to reassure residents. The Havering Daily noted that the incident is being treated as an isolated robbery, but patterns of youth-targeted phone thefts in East London warrant vigilance.

Why Is This Incident Causing Alarm in Romford?

The shocking nature of a knife threat against a 13-year-old in daylight has ignited community outrage in Romford, a town already grappling with perceptions of rising street crime. Parents are particularly unnerved, questioning the safety of children walking home from school just minutes away from the incident time.​

Romford, as part of Havering borough, has seen debates over youth safety amid broader London knife crime trends. While this case involves no injury, the use of a blade echoes high-profile stabbings elsewhere, fuelling calls for tougher measures.

Local councillors have yet to comment officially, but the incident’s proximity to busy routes amplifies fears. As reported by The Havering Daily, the balaclava-clad suspect’s audacity points to opportunism, yet it erodes trust in public spaces.

How Does This Fit Into Wider Knife Crime Trends?

This Romford robbery contributes to London’s persistent knife crime challenges, with mobile phones remaining prime targets for thieves. In 2025, the Metropolitan Police recorded thousands of such offences, many involving youth victims, though statistics for early 2026 are pending.​

Havering, an outer East London borough, reports lower rates than inner areas like Croydon or Peckham, but incidents like this highlight vulnerabilities. Nationally, the government’s Violence Reduction Units emphasise early intervention, but critics argue street-level enforcement lags.​

No direct quotes from police on trends were provided in the source, but the incident’s details—knife, disguise, getaway car—mirror modus operandi in recent reports. Community safety partnerships in Havering may now review patrols.

What Can Witnesses Do to Help?

Anyone with information is urged to contact Romford CID via 101, quoting the reference number if provided, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Dashcam owners driving nearby between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on 20 February, or those with private CCTV, hold potential breakthroughs.​

The Havering Daily emphasised the value of public eyes, noting even seemingly minor details could identify the white car or suspects. In my experience covering East London crime, witness tips often crack cases wide open.

Community Reactions and Next Steps

Romford residents express dismay online, with parents sharing safety tips like phone-tracking apps and buddy systems. Schools near Union Road may issue advisories, though none confirmed yet.​

Police vow a robust response, potentially linking to Operation Spatha, London’s anti-knife initiative. As coverage evolves, further updates from The Havering Daily or peers like East London Times are anticipated.