A Japanese student lost a mobile phone containing thousands of precious pictures when she was targeted by cruel tricksters just days after arriving in the country.

Devastated Wakana Noda, 19, had been in the city for little more than a week when the conmen struck in the Westgate Gardens on Sunday.

The teenager was sitting alone on a bench and sketching the picturesque surroundings when she was approached by two men.

They asked her about her drawings and while she was distracted they took her iPhone 6, which she had left on the bench as she sketched.

The £500 phone contained photos of family and friends from her home city of Tokyo, as well as pictures of her precious shih tzu, Nutz.

Miss Noda returned to her host family in a distressed state because her phone was her main link back home.

The host mother, who did not wish to be identified, said: “Wakana was very upset about her phone being stolen.

“When she arrived here one of the first places she saw was the Westgate Gardens and she said how beautiful they were and that she would like to sketch there.

“I am so disappointed a couple of conmen have given her such a bad impression of our city.”

Police spokesman Amanda Wills confirmed officers are investigating a distraction theft between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Sunday.

“I am so disappointed a couple of conmen have given her such a bad impression of our city..." - student's host mother

She added: “The student had left her iPhone 6 on the bench beside her when she was approached by two men who struck up a conversation with her.

“When the first man walked off she realised her phone, worth around £500, had gone. The second man said he would chase the first man and told her to wait. But neither man returned.

“A patrol attended and officers drove the student around the area in an attempt to locate the offenders. Unfortunately they weren’t found.”

Both men were aged between 20 and 30 and were described as being of Asian heritage, wearing long sleeves and trousers and one wore a black leather jacket.

Canterbury Community Safety Unit Inspector Chris Gurney said: ‘We understand that this must have been extremely upsetting for the victim, who assumed that these two men were simply making small talk when they were in fact opportunist thieves looking for easy pickings.

‘It serves as a reminder to everyone to keep their mobile phones out of sight at all times.’

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the two men in the Westgate Gardens on Sunday afternoon or who recognises their description to call police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting reference ZY/030242/15.