Two children were chased and one was attacked and robbed in Barnstaple. Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident in the Roundswell area on Sunday, March 24.

Two children were on the footpath leading to Mulberry Way from Beech Close between 12pm and 2pm when they were chased by a male offender who demanded money from the older child, before striking him and taking a sports drink from him.

The offender is described as a white male between 14 and 16 years of age, of average build, wearing a dark coloured beanie style hat, a zip up style long sleeved hooded jacket with three colours (red at the top, white across the middle, and blue at the bottom), black tracksuit trousers and light winter gloves.

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Since the incident, police have been working by several means to try and identify the offender, and have now reached a point where they are turning to the community to ask for anybody who witnessed this incident, or has any information, to get in touch. Officers are continuing to examine local and business CCTV as part of the investigation.

Anybody able to help the investigation can call police with information on 101, or get in touch via our website here, quoting reference number 50240070525. Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may be able to identify the suspect or who witnessed someone of this description in the area between those approximate times.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111