A MAN has been arrested after an incident in which a teenager had her handbag stolen, apparently at gunpoint, near a town centre subway.

The incident happened at about 11.10am yesterday in Bede Way, Peterlee, County Durham, as the 16-year-old victim was with two male friends on a grassed area adjacent to the subway leading from Peterlee town centre to the local Dene.

The attacker approached the victim and produced what was believed to be a handgun, made threats to her and demanded her bag.

He then pushed the terrified girl to the ground and grabbed her bag before fleeing into the Dene area.

The victim and her friends raised the alarm from nearby premises. The bag contained her mobile phone and various personal items.

A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly afterwards in connection with the robbery and taken to Peterlee police station where he was being interviewed last night.

No one was injured during the incident, no shots were fired and detectives say at this stage they cannot confirm whether a firearm was used. No weapon has yet been recovered.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of Bede Way in Peterlee or the subway and who witnessed the incident, or anyone acting suspiciously, to contact Peterlee CID on 0845 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.