POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an attacker held a knife to a youth's throat while the victim refused to hand over his wallet and phone.

The attack occurred last week at 5.45pm on Tuesday, October 26, in Cripplegate Park, St John's, Worcester.

But Worcester police only released details of the incident yesterday.

Shocked park users this morning said they wished they had known of the attack sooner.

Roxanne Harper, who cuts through the park to work in Inspiration Hair Studio in College Street, St John's, said knowledge of the incident would have made her think twice.

She said: "He could still be lurking around here in the dark.

"Generally, I feel safe walking about in Worcester but this park can be pretty scary at night, on the way back, to my car at the best of times.

"If I'd known about what had happened, I'd have probably walked around the outside, rather than cutting through.

"It's the police's job to let us know what is going on and we need to be warned, even if it makes us scared."

Police said the knifeman left empty-handed, heading towards New Road Bridge and the city centre.

The victim, who was with his girlfriend, was unharmed, but was left with red marks on his neck.

The attacker was described as a white male, in his late teens, and about 6ft 3in, with short, black hair.

He was wearing a white baseball cap, blue jeans and brown shoes or boots.

"This attack happened at a time of day when many people use the park's footpaths, making their way to or from the city," said a police spokesman.

Anyone who believes they have information about the crime, should contact police on 08457 444888, quoting 149C/261004, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.