Teenage boy attacked in cemetery

Date published: 17/03/2010

A teenage boy was attacked and robbed of his mobile phone as he left a cemetery in Bury.

The boy, 16, was leaving the cemetery on St Peter's Road at about 8.15pm on 9 March 2010 when he was confronted by a group of youths congregating in the entrance.

They asked him for money and when he refused, two members of the group grabbed him and threw him to the floor, kicking and punching him until he handed over his mobile phone - a black and red Nokia 5310.

After giving him back his SIM card, the group kicked him again while he lay defenceless on the floor and then escaped through the cemetery.

The first offender is described as wearing a dark hooded top, about 5ft 10in tall and of a slim build. The other was of a similar height and build, wearing dark clothing and was on a mountain bike.

Police in Bury are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

Police Constable Brett Grange, of the Volume Crime Team at Bury Police Station, said: "The number of robberies continue to drop in Greater Manchester - between October and December 2009 it dropped by more than 20% which means 383 fewer victims.

"However, while statistics are encouraging our primary focus is on giving this young boy some peace of mind. Figures mean little to him - what he rightly wants is to see his attackers brought to justice, and I would ask for the public to help us find those responsible by coming forward if they have any information."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Bury Volume Crime Team on 0161 856 6103 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.