Gang attacks and robs foreign exchange student in Horsham Park

The 17-year-old boy was walking around the pond area to meet a friend at 5.50pm when he was approached by five teenage boys who demanded his mobile phone.

One of the teenagers hit the boy around the head with a belt and another punched him, police said, before the group made off with his bag.

Detective sergeant Vicki Tomlinson said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a student visiting Horsham who had his personal items stolen.

“This robbery happened at a busy time of the day and we are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area, particularly a man who was with a child who helped the victim until officers arrived, or anyone who may have seen this incident or any of the suspects running off.”

Police are seeking a suspect described as white, aged 17, 5’ 9”, of skinny build and wearing a sandy brown or grey hooded top with a pattern on the front and had a small amount of facial hair.

Another suspect is described as being black, aged 17, 5’ 10” and was wearing a black quilted hooded top and dark trousers.

The suspects ran off in the direction of the underpass and it is believed the white suspect was seen carrying a bag and running near Boots.

Anyone with any information is asked to email [email protected] or call 101 and quote serial 1266 of 15/01.

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