POLICE have launched a search for a mugger after a teenager was threatened at knifepoint at Margate railway station.

The 17-year-old had just taken out his mobile phone to check the time when he felt a knife pressed to the right of his neck.

His attacker demanded his phone and wallet, and then walked off towards Margate.

The incident happened on Friday evening at about 6.15pm. The attacker is described as half-caste, around 6ft tall, of small to medium build, and with short, Afro-style dark brown hair.

He wore a light coloured baseball cap with the peak upwards, a white Nike hooded top with a dark tick logo across the back, dark jogging trousers with the bottoms tucked into his socks, and old Nike trainers.

Police are linking the incident with a second robbery which happened the same evening at about 9.40pm, when a man was robbed in Helena Avenue, Margate, after leaving the train station.

The thief stopped him and demanded his wallet, and the man handed over £5.

The thief is described as a man of mixed race, with lightish skin, in his late teens to early 20s. He was approximately 5ft 11ins in height, of medium build, and may have had a thin moustache.

He spoke with a local accent and carried a glass bottle in his hand. Police later found a vodka-based drink with orange and passion fruit near the scene of the incident which he may have bought at a local shop.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Ray Butterwick, of Thanet Police, on 01843 222 151.