DETECTIVES investigating two alleged robberies in Trowbridge town centre have criticised passers-by for turning a blind eye.

Up to seven people were spotted on camera walking just metres away from where a 45-year-old man was allegedly attacked and robbed, but no one called the police or tried to intervene.

Detectives working on the case were amazed to watch security camera footage from the scene which clearly identified multiple eyewitnesses.

Camera operators alerted police to the scene in Fore Street and Church Walk at 11.45pm last Wednesday.

Case officers made a public appeal for information this week, despite two men being charged with robbing a man of cash.

Det Sgt Dave Martin said cameras picked out a large number of witnesses who had failed to come forward.

"There were definitely witnesses who saw the incident. I would say maybe seven, but definitely up to five people saw what was going on. None of them contacted us or helped out.

"You would hope people would use their mobiles to call in but it seems this just did not happen."

In a second alleged robbery involving a 17-year-old autistic man, a bus driver drove straight past the youth, despite him calling out for help.

This incident is alleged to have started at Trowbridge train station just four hours previous to the Fore Street attack.

The teenager was waiting on a platform close to the ticket office when two men approached him.

Both were dressed in black and one is alleged to have been carrying a one-metre long, white metal bar.

All three men moved onto the Trinity Church car park and then onto cash machines at Asda and Tesco.

DS Martin said: "We definitely want to hear from anyone who witnessed either of the incidents.

"It is important they come forward and say what they have seen."

l Brothers Nigel and Richard Ingram, of Paxcroft Way, Trowbridge, are due to appear before a Swindon judge today charged with two counts of robbery and one of kidnap.

A mobile phone, cash and two watches are among the items listed by prosecuting lawyers as taken during the offences.

Both brothers appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Thursday.

Richard, 19, was remanded in custody while Nigel, 18, was released on bail.