POLICE are appealing for information after a teenager was robbed on a canal towpath in Sale.

At around 8.50pm on April 10 police received a report that a 14-year-old boy had been approached by a group of approximately 18 youths.

They told him to empty his pockets or he’d be assaulted but when the boy showed them his pockets were empty and he had no money, he was kicked and punched numerous times.

He was taken to hospital a short time later with facial injuries but is now recovering well at home.

Officers investigating the incident, which happened on the towpath off Marsland Road, believe it may be linked to a number of other robberies and attempted robberies in the area with similar circumstances.

Typically, the victims are aged between 12 and 20-years-old and are often threatened before being assaulted, sometimes with weapons including knives, machetes and wooden sticks.

A number of personal items are often reported to have been stolen including mobile phones, cash and bicycles.

A boy and girl, both aged 13, and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Simon Akker said: “I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything in our power to put a stop to these robberies and will continue to make arrests until a clear message has been sent that this behaviour is absolutely unacceptable.

“We are working closely with our partners to make this possible but need the public’s help to identify those responsible and protect the public of Trafford.

“If anyone recognises the circumstances of this robbery or one similar, please get in contact with us.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7568 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.