Police have issued advice for people arranging to buy and sell goods online after series of knifepoint robberies, including in Mansfield.

Attempts have been made to steal motorbikes, bundles of cash and a games console in four incidents in recent days.

In each case victims were targeted after arranging online to meet in person to buy or sell items.

Having arrived at that location as planned, however, all wasn't as it seemed, with each then threatened with a knife.

Half-a-dozen arrests have been made following the separate incidents, all of which have happened since last October 21.

One robbery took place Mansfield, with the victim arranging to buy jewellery through social media, before showing up in person with cash.

Having arrived at the pre-agreed meeting spot, they were persuaded to then get into a car, before being forced at knifepoint to hand over thousands of pounds.

Further incidents have also taken place in Newark and Nottingham.

A 41-year-old man has since been arrested for robbery in connection with the Mansfield incident.

Det Chf Insp Les Charlton said: "These incidents sadly showcased some of the dangers associated with these types of transactions.

"Victims arrived at a location agreed on social media with the intention of buying or selling an item, before being threatened with a weapon and robbed.

"It really should go without saying but this type of criminal behaviour is completely unacceptable, so we hope news of these arrests will provide the public with some reassurance.

"While robberies of this nature are rare, we have seen some incidents recently, so want to highlight a few measures people can take to avoid being targeted in this manner."

Police have issue the following advice for people arranging these sort of transactions online:

Bring someone with you when you meet for the transaction
Meet in a well-lit, busy public space during daylight hours
Avoid inviting a stranger to your home to buy or sell the item
Pay for the item digitally through a bank transaction – don’t carry large amounts of cash
Stick to the original plan – walk away if someone changes the meeting location at the last minute