A 14-year-old boy was robbed of his mobile phone by a ginger haired man wielding a knife.

The attack happened on Tuesday afternoon in Bower Lane in Maidstone.

The teenager says that as he passed the junction with Prospect Place a man walked past him and asked him the time, which the victim checked on his iPhone and said it was 4:15pm.

The suspect walked off ahead of the victim, and over the railway bridge.

Once over the bridge the boy reported that the man demanded the boy’s phone.

He is reported to have produced a small blade and threatened the boy.

The suspect is described as being a white man with ginger hair, approximately 35 – 39 years-old and 5ft 8in in height.

He was wearing a hoody and tracksuit bottoms and was of slim build.

Officers are now appealing for anyone who has any information to get in touch.

Witnesses are asked to contact Detective Constable Claire Beckett on 01732 379147, quoting crime reference YY/25510/14.

Alternatively, contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.