A 17-YEAR-OLD boy was threatened with a knife during an attempted robbery in Winsford on Sunday evening.

Police are asking for witnesses after the incident on the Old High Street around 6.30pm on March 3.

The victim – a 17-year-old boy – was walking alone from the River Weaver towards Collingham Way when he was accosted by a man who had appeared from an alleyway near the takeaways.

The man, who was holding a glass bottle and a knife, threatened the boy and demanded his mobile phone.

At that point, he was disturbed by a man and a woman coming out of one of the takeaways, and ran off towards the housing estate.

The offender is described as white, around 20 years old and approximately 5ft 11install. He had blond curly hair with a long fringe, and was wearing a black jacket with the hood up as well as dark trousers and dark shoes.

Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed, or has CCTV or dashcam footage of, anything that may help their investigation to get in touch.

They particularly want to speak to the man and the woman carrying takeaway food who disturbed the offender.

Detectives also want to hear from anyone who believes they may know who the offender is.

DC Duncan Antrobus said: “Thankfully the offender was disturbed and the victim was not injured in any way and did not have anything stolen from him, but what happened was terrifying and has understandably left him extremely shaken up.

“We are determined to establish the identity of the offender and make him face the consequences of his actions.

“Enquiries are ongoing and as part of our investigation I am appealing for the man and woman who may have unknowingly disturbed the offender to come forward.

“I also urge anyone else who was in the area and believes they may have seen the offender, either before the attempted robbery or as he was fleeing on foot, to contact us.

“The same goes for anyone who believes they may know who the offender is or has CCTV or dashcam footage of him.”

Insp Andy Smith, of Northwich Local Policing Unit (LPU), added: “I would like to reassure the community that this is believed to be an isolated incident and we have stepped up patrols in the area.

“Knife crime is an issue that we take extremely seriously and Northwich LPU is committed to ensuring that anyone found to be carrying a knife or committing a knife related offence in the areas we police is brought to justice.

“But the police cannot beat knife crime without the help of the communities we serve and we urge anyone with information about people who may be carrying knives to come forward and speak to us or Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may aid detectives with their investigation into this incident should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 337666

You can also give details online here or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Dashcam footage can be submitted online here.

To report any type of knife crime call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency.