A BOY, who could be as young as ten, was involved in a robbery in which a man was threatened with a broken bottle.

The boy was in a three-strong group of youths who robbed a man collecting money from television meters in Sunderland on Thursday.

The robbery took place at about 2.20pm in Cato Street, Southwick, when the man was approached by the youths, and one held the bottle to his face and took his car keys.

The two older youths, aged 15 or 16, drove off in the car, a silver Ford Focus estate, while the younger boy, said to be aged between ten and 12, ran off towards Beaumont Street.

The car was found abandoned two minutes later in Chestnut Crescent and a quantity of money had been stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to ring police on 0191-454 7555, ext 66144.