A 17-YEAR-OLD boy was punched repeatedly in the face by a gang of thieves who stole his mobile phone.

He was walking along Coronation Road, Radcliffe, on Wednesday at around 10pm and talking on his phone when he heard footsteps behind him as he approached an alleyway near to the Wilton Arms pub.

The boy began to walk faster but two youths stepped out in front of him and demanded his phone.

When he refused, he was hit several times in the face before he was able to run off.

Witnesses are asked to call the Priority Crime Unit at Bury on 0161 856 6103 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.