Boy beaten and robbed in street

A teenage boy was held down, beaten and robbed in broad daylight as people walked by in a Dorset shopping centre.

The 16-year-old was chased by his attacker through Boscombe precinct in Bournemouth, on Friday morning.

When the thief caught up with the youngster, he punched his jaw, before stealing his cash and mobile phone.

Police appealing for witnesses also want to trace a woman who was heard shouting at the thief, who called her Karen and then swore at her.

Det Con Andy Bell, from Dorset Police, said: "Although the victim wasn't seriously injured this was a nasty, unprovoked robbery on a young boy.

"This area of Boscombe was very busy at the time with lots of shoppers and other people and the victim was very surprised that no-one came to his assistance while he was being robbed on the ground."