A TEENAGER was punched in the face and the head by a trio of youths who stole his baseball cap in a daylight robbery attack in Darlington town centre.

The 14-year-old boy was left with bruising and a lump on the back of his head after the attack on Sunday afternoon.

He had been shopping in the town centre and was walking down Priestgate at around 2pm when the youths, all believed to be aged around 16-years, approached.

One of the attackers was riding a silver-coloured Mongoose BMX bike.

Detective Constable Peter Eddy, of Darlington police, said there were accusations and attempts to extort money before the violence started.

"These lads have stopped him in the street," he said.

"For some reason they have accused him of being responsible for an assault on one of their sisters. This lad hasn't been involved in anything like that.

"They have then asked him to give them some money. Just after he was asked for that, one of the lads punched him on the left side of his face."

A second attacker punched him again on his face and a third punch was landed on the back of his head.

After stealing the victim's navy blue "New York" baseball cap, they made off towards High Row. Police are checking closed circuit television footage in their investigations.

The youth on the bike was wearing a black baseball cap and appeared to be of mixed race, possibly Asian, with very dark brown eyes. He was about 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build and was also wearing a black jumper and jeans and brown shoes.

The second youth had very short, dark brown hair and was wearing a cream coloured tracksuit, navy blue baseball cap and blue tracksuit bottoms.

The third attacker was around 5ft 7ins tall, heavy build, with short black hair and a tanned complexion.

Anybody who has any information is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.