A 13-year-old boy was threatened at knife-point while he sat on a bench in the grounds of St John’s Church at Margate.

The youngster was approached by a man who asked him for the time before demanding he hand over his Sony mobile phone.

The thief then pulled out a knife with a six-inch blade and ordered the boy to hand over his neck chain. The man then took the chain from around the victim’s neck and then told him to stand up.

He pushed the boy away and told him to go, before walking off towards Victoria Road.

The incident occurred shortly after 4.30pm on Sunday, May 23. Police officers have carried out extensive enquiries but have drawn a blank and are now asking members of the public for help.

The suspect 25 to 30 years old, 6ft and slim with untidy blond hair and facial stubble. He wore a dirty white hooded top with ‘Lonsdale’ across the chest in burgundy, faded blue jeans, white Reebok trainers and circular sunglasses.

The officer in the case, PC Simon Harrold, is keen to hear from anyone who saw this man in the area and he can be contacted on 01843 222024.