A GIRL of 15 was hit in the mouth and punched on the arm several times during a robbery in an alleyway.

The incident occurred as the girl was walking down the alley near to All Saints' Road, Gravesend, with a friend and suddenly noticed three teenagers walking behind them.

One of the teenagers admitted they were following the two girls and the victim asked the boy not to. The boy then approached the girl and hit her in the mouth before punching her in the arm several times.

As the offender hit the victim her bag fell to the floor. The offender grabbed the victim’s silver Nokia mobile phone and ran off towards Perry Street. The victim suffered a bruised arm and a swollen mouth and cuts to her lip.

The offender is described as an Asian teenager, aged between 14 and 16, about 5ft 4in tall and of medium build. He was wearing a red T-shirt and a blue Nike baseball cap.

The police are appealing for information about the incident which happened on September 10 between 8.10pm and 8.20pm.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact PC Anthony Higgins at North Kent Police quoting reference 19896 on 01474 565167 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – calls to this number are free and you may be eligible for a reward.