SHOPPERS failed to act as a gang of thieves mugged a young schoolboy and stole his birthday money in broad daylight.

Yobs mugged Daniel Birchall during a trip to Bolton with two friends to buy a pair of trainers as a 14th birthday present from his parents.

Passers-by looked on as the gang of three struck soon after Daniel left JJB Sports in Manchester Road on Saturday lunchtime.

But nobody stepped in to help even when the trio, one aged about 12 and two around 17, started to slap one of the boys and searched through Daniel's pockets. Daniel believes the thieves followed him from Laserquest in Bradshawgate and ran off towards Trinity Street after stealing his birthday money of £60.

It is the second birthday heartache for the Thornleigh pupil from Crosby Road, Heaton. Last week the BEN reported how he lost his present from last year, a pet iguana called Iggy.

Mum Ann Birchall said: "When they started to ask him for money he thought if he gave them a £1 they would go away but they searched through his pockets.

"We must live in a sick society when this kind of thing can happen. There were people passing-by looking but nobody stopped to help.

"From what I can gather this has happened before and I would like to warn other parents about letting their children go into town with large sums of money."

His parents bought Daniel another pair of trainers for his birthday yesterday but have failed to find Iggy despite the BEN appeal.

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