Updated 5.20pm

The police have arrested two men believed to be behind attacks on delivery men in the past days.

The first arrest was of a 30-year-old man from Cospicua who is believed to have threatened at knifepoint a delivery man in Cospicua on Tuesday.

Later, they arrested a 53-year-old man, also from Cospicua, believed to be behind three similar thefts in Żabbar on April 9, in Senglea on April 10 and in San Ġwann on April 14.

The 30-year-old, was arrested a short while after a victim filed a police report at the Cospicua station on Tuesday at 9.30pm.

He told police that he had been delivering food in Triq San Pawl, Cospicua. But when he arrived at the address, the occupants said they had not ordered food.

The victim contacted the person who had filed the order, and the two agreed to meet at a parking area in Triq San Pawl.

Once there, he was approached by a man who allegedly took out a knife and demanded the cash he had on him. The thief escaped with the money.

The victim immediately went to file a report at the police statement and from the description given, the police found the aggressor at his residence in Triq San Franġisk.

He tried to escape by climbing out of a window but was immediately arrested.

In the first three cases, the delivery men were approached by two men who threatened them at knifepoint as they were taking the ordered food in private residences.

Both suspected thieves are being held under arrest.

The police work was carried out by district police, together with the Rapid Intervention and the Violent Crime units.

Appeal to shop owners

Police have also appealed to shop owners offering delivery services to accept payment prior to delivery where possible. 

"This will allow delivery persons to do their job without having to carry cash, making it safer for them to do their job," inspector Fabian Fleri explained.