A GANG of nine youths set about a 15-year-old boy, robbing him of his mobile phone in Woodford Green on Tuesday evening.

The boy was walking down Snakes Lane East at 6.30pm on February 6, when he walked past the group at a bus stop and became aware that they were watching him.

Two of them then stepped in front of him while another grabbed the boy around the neck and demanded his phone. He refused to hand it over but the gang then pushed and punched him to the floor where he dropped the phone.

One of the gang grabbed it and they all ran off towards Ray Lodge Road.

All of the gang are thought to be black and one is around 17-years-old, 5ft 10ins, with collar length black hair wearing a black cap with a pink NY badge, a black Nike coat, blue Nike jumper, and blue trousers with a black glove on his right hand.

A second is about 16-years-old and around 5ft 5ins tall, wearing a grey hoody, black Air Max 95 with a pink stripe, blue puffer coat, black trousers and green gloves.

A third is about 20-years-old, 6ft tall, and bald, wearing light blue jeans and a black or blue jumper.

Anyone with any information can contact DC Gary Farrelly at Ilford police on 020 8345 2667.