DETECTIVES are hunting two thugs who threatened to cut a teenager's throat before robbing him of - 20p.

The 16-year-old boy was walking along Derby Street, Bolton, when the two attackers stopped him, claiming they would cut his throat if he did not hand over his money.

The victim was forced to hand over his 20p change in the incident on Tuesday, September 14, at 12.55pm.

Both attackers are white, aged 14 to 15. One is 5ft tall, chubby build, with short dark hair and a chipped front tooth, wearing a black bubble jacket and gold chain.

In a separate incident on the same day a pensioner was pulled to the ground and dragged along the pavement by a young thug in Farnworth. It was one of a spate of attacks on local pensioners.

The 71-year-old was walking along Kildare Street at about 11.35am when the teenager grabbed her shopping bag.

She defiantly tried to hold on to her bag but, after being dragged along the pavement, it was eventually wrestled out of her grasp.

The thug then ran off with the bag, which contained a key, umbrella, purse and £3.50 in cash.

The elderly victim was left badly shocked with cuts and bruises to her legs and arms.

Detectives are hunting a teenager aged 13 or 14 in connection with the incident. He is 5ft tall, slim and was wearing a black and white vertical striped shirt. A 76-year-old woman was also attacked in Heaton minutes after collecting her pension money.

The pensioner was walking along Queensgate at 9.45am last Thursday when the thug ran up behind her and grabbed her pension book and £170 in cash.

The thief is white, 18 to 25 years old, 5ft tall, plump build with dark hair. He was wearing a navy blue coat and blue trousers.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact Crimestoppers on the free phone number 0800 555 111. All calls will be treated in confidence.

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