DETECTIVES in Thanet have appealed for help in tracing four youths after a 14-year-old boy was robbed at knifepoint and assaulted as he walked home with two friends.

The teenagers were in an alleyway off College Road, Ramsgate, at about 7pm on Saturday when they were approached by the four youths. A knife was held to the victim’s throat and he was ordered to hand over money.

When the victim said he hadn't any, he was told to hand over his Nokia mobile phone instead. He was then punched in the face, receiving cuts to his nose and mouth.

The gang of three boys and a girl then made off. All were white and aged between 15 and 18. The knifeman was about 6ft 2in tall and slim. He was wearing a navy blue hooded Nike top, blue Adidas trousers, white Reebok trainers and possibly a baseball cap with a black peak.

Another member of the group is about 6ft tall and stocky with short black hair. He was wearing a white jumper and blue Nike trousers.

The third boy was about 5ft 8in tall, medium build, and was wearing a red jacket with the hood up. The girl was of medium build with shoulder-length brown hair. She was wearing a baggy green and black jumper and blue bell-bottomed jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Margate Police.