TWO 16-year-old boys were robbed in an underpass as they walked home from school.

The pupils, from Heworth Grange Comprehensive School, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, were approached by three youths, aged 17 to 18, in Prince Consort Road, at 5.15pm, on Tuesday.

The gang forced them against a wall and stole money. The thugs then walked the youngsters out of the underpass and held one around the shoulders in a "friendly" gesture. When the boy got home he found the back of his coat had been cut with a knife.

It is thought the robbers, who wore Yankee baseball caps, may have travelled on the Metro train system.

Two of the gang were wearing dark tracksuits. The third wore a beige shirt and jeans.

To help contact Gateshead East CID on 0191-454 7555.