A pair of teenage schoolboys had their mobile phones stolen after three older boys claimed they wanted to buy them.

The incident happened at around 6pm last Friday (April 24) when the 14-year-olds were approached near the play area in Russell Park, off Russell Avenue, by three teenagers.

Although the offenders initially claimed they wanted to buy the handsets, they instead simply took them and then escaped on mountain bikes towards Aspects leisure complex.

All three of the offenders were of Asian appearance, were aged 17 to 18, 6ft tall, skinny and wore jeans. One wore a black jacket with fur lining and the other wore a black and brown horizontally-striped jumper.

One of the stolen phones was a Sony Ericsson W580i in white with distinctive orange buttons. The other was a black and grey Sony Ericsson.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who saw the offenders, knows who they are, has been approached in a similar way, or has been offered the phones.

Anyone with information can contact PC Mark Atkins, in confidence, on 01234 841212. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.