A MAN was threatened with a knife during an attempted robbery in Worcester.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened as the man, who is in his teens, walked along the footpath off Tallow Hill at about 8pm on Monday.

As he crossed over the footbridge in between Pizza Hut and Staples in the Shrub Hill Retail Park he came across two men on the bridge.

One shouted at him to give him his phone and bag, but when he refused he was threatened with a knife. The teenager attempted to run off, but was stopped by the second man, who grabbed his rucksack.

When the victim went to Pizza Hut to call the police, witnesses from the restaurant went out and the offenders dropped the bag and contents and ran off.

They were both described as being white and in their early 20s. The man carrying the knife was around 6ft 2ins tall and thin, and he was wearing a dark green beanie hat and a black jacket. The second man was around 5ft 6ins tall, of average build, had short dark hair and was wearing a purple Adidas hooded top.

Detective Constable Zoey Carter of Worcester CID said: "While the young man who was robbed got all his things back, being threatened with a knife was a distressing experience for him.

"An incident of this kind is not common in Worcester, so we need to find the two men involved and I would appeal to anyone who was Tallow Hill on Monday evening to get in touch.

"I would like to speak to anyone who was at Pizza Hut, saw any part of this incident and has yet to contact the police. I am particularly keen to trace two people who were waiting to pick up takeaway orders and may be vital witnesses."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference number 211N 05/11/12.