A mother is appealing for better security in a park after her son and his friends became the victims of an attempted robbery.

Louisa Demery was shocked to hear that her 13-year-old had been approached by a man in Millennium River Park in Maidstone on Tuesday afternoon.

The group of five boys had been walking back from school at Maplesden Noakes around 4pm when the man came up to them and asked for their phones.

Mrs Demery said: "My son told the man he didn't speak to strangers, but then the man said 'If you don't give me your phone I'll punch your teeth out'."

The boys walked away and the man followed them out of the park and onto the Ringlestone estate where they live.

"I had just got home with my younger son when the boys came running down the street to tell me about it, they were all really scared," the 36-year-old mum explained.

"I reported it to the police and have warned the local schools as well, a lot of kids walk through that park every day to get to and from school."

Mrs Demery has also spoken to others who have had similar experiences, including two teenage girls who were allegedly targeted around the same time on Tuesday.

She has also spoken to Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, who is hoping to help address issues in the area.

Police have released a description of the man in hopes people with information will come forward.

A spokesman said: "The man is described as being his 30s or 40s, of thin build with tanned skin, short dark hair in a Mohican style, and was wearing a blue jacket and jeans."

Anybody who recognises the description or has any information that may help is asked to call police on 01622 604100 quoting reference 5-0905, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.