POLICE are hunting two teenage muggers who threatened a 15-year-old boy in the centre of Darlington before stealing his mobile phone.

The attack happened at 7.20pm on Wednesday of last week as the boy was walking along Bondgate.

One of the muggers grabbed his victim and dragged him into Four Riggs, where his balaclava-clad accomplice was waiting armed with a plank of wood with a nail sticking out of the end.

The second youth threatened the boy with the plank and demanded: "Give me what you've got."

The terrified boy handed over his Nokia 3310 mobile phone and the pair made off.

Det Sgt Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said: "He handed over the property because he was afraid of what was going to happen to him.

"It is a disturbing attack, there is no two ways about it. It is something which we have not come across for an awfully long time.

"Fortunately, there were no injuries aggravating this incident further."

The youth who wore a black balaclava was aged 15-18, white, 5ft 6in tall and of athletic build. He wore a navy blue zip-up jacket, jeans and black leather gloves.

His accomplice was of a similar age, also of athletic build, 5ft 4in to 5ft 5in tall, with dark brown or blonde hair which was short and flat. He wore a black "designer-type" jacket and light blue jeans.

Det Sgt Francis said: "Whether it is somebody picking up on the current trend of theft of mobile phones, we are not sure, but they are good descriptions.

"We will be looking at the closed circuit television coverage in the area at the relevant time and hoping that will give us some leads to identify the people responsible."

Anyone with information on this theft should contact Darlington police on 01325 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Last Friday night, four boys, all aged 13, were robbed as they walked along Edinburgh Drive between 7.30 and 8pm.

They were approached by three older youths who threatened them before searching them and stealing a Nokia mobile phone and cash.

The attackers are all described as aged about 16, white and of slim build. One wore a red hooded jacket, another was wearing a blue and white jacket and the third wore a black Puffa jacket.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Joanne Slater of Darlington CID on 01325 467681.

A total of 623 mobile phones were reported stolen in Darlington last year, with another 69 thefts reported so far this year