Two teenagers have been robbed by four masked youths near a city centre park notorious for violent crime.

The youngsters were walking along the city wall beside Dane John Gardens in Canterbury yesterday evening when they were approached by the suspects.

The robbers, described as being in their late teens, stole the boys' phones and made intimidating remarks which made them fear they had knives.

The mother of one of the victims took to Facebook to appeal for help getting the phones back.

“My son and his friend got robbed in Dane John Gardens,” she said.

“Robbers took their phones, so if anyone gets offered two iPhone 11s please let me know.

“The boys were between 17 and 20, wearing masks, and threatened them with knives.”

Police are looking into the incident, which happened at about 6.40pm near the bridge to Canterbury East Station.

A spokeseperson said: “Two teenage boys were reportedly approached by a group of four teenage boys, who asked them the time.

“When one of the victims took out his phone, a member of the group stole it, as well as a phone belonging to the other boy.

“The group then left the area in the direction of the city centre.”

Dane John Gardens and the surrounding area has earned a dubious reputation, with numerous acts of vandalism having been committed in the past year and an alleged murder occuring just around the corner earlier this month.

The gardens once held a Green Flag Award - but in recent times have been blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour.

In a “senseless act of violence” last November, part of the park's bandstand was smashed to the ground.

And a KentOnline investigation revealed almost 100 crimes were reported in the gardens between 2020 and 2021, including 12 sexual assaults.

Last year, police investigated five sexual offences, three cases of arson and criminal damage and 36 other incidents in the park.

However, people living in the park insist it is a pleasant place to live.

An investigation into the robbery is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed what happened or has any information is urged to call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/75537/23, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.