A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was forced to hand over his phone and bike at knifepoint.

Police say the boy was approached by five males, all believed to be aged 16-20 years old, on the bridle way near Flatts Lane Woodland Centre, towards Ormesby, Middlesbrough.

It happened at about 5.40pm yesterday.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: "One of the males produced a knife with a black handle and demanded that the victim hand over his Iphone 7, and he was then pushed off his bike before the group made off with the phone and bike.

"The stolen bike is described as a black and green Carrera mountain bike.

"One of the suspects is described as 16-20 years old, around 5ft 10” to 6 ft tall, of medium build with a shaven head and a long, ginger or brown beard.

"He was wearing a grey hooded top with a red jigsaw pieces pattern and grey woollen gloves.

"Two others in the group were riding bikes, one was orange and blue and the other was white."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Dan Cook from Redcar and Cleveland CID on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 49344.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.