Police are appealing for information after a suspected thief posted a picture of himself with a phone stolen from a 12-year-old boy.

The victim’s blackberry was taken as he walked near Debden Underground station shortly after 11am on October 1.

The robber stopped the boy and asked him for the time. As the child took his phone from his pocket the thief threatened him and snatched the item.

Since the phone was stolen, the victim’s mother received notifications that someone using the phone had posted images of himself on social media service WhatsApp.

The man is white, in his late teens or early twenties with a pointy jaw and chin, stubble and facial spots.

He is around 5ft 5ins tall and speaks with a London accent.