A young woman had her phone and handbag snatched by a group of thieves in Bolton.

The 21-year-old woman was walking along Fletcher Street and talking on her phone at 3.15pm on Friday November 13.

She turned onto Lever Street and was heading towards Rigby Court when she passed a group of five girls and a boy.

The group of teenagers turned back after passing the victim and grabbed her phone from her hand, snatched her handbag and ran off.

Two of the offenders held the victim against a wall while their accomplices escaped so the woman was unable to give chase.

The woman was uninjured in the incident and her phone and bag were recovered by a passer-by who intervened, stopped the offenders who had taken the bag and phone and gave the items back to the woman.

The offenders, five girls and one boy, were all described as being aged between 12 and 16 and were wearing Essa Academy uniforms.

Police Constable Andrew Sharkey, based at Astley Bridge Police Station, said: "Just because the offenders in the situation were very young does not mean it was any less frightening for the victim to be set upon.

"Fortunately, a very public-spirited person was on hand to make sure they did not get away with it.

"Incidents like this are rare and we are doing all we can to track down those responsible.

"We are also working extremely closely with the academy in an attempt to find the culprits.

"If you know anything that might help us catch them or know who is responsible please get in touch.

"I would also like to remind everybody that it is essential to be aware of your surroundings and important to keep your property concealed where possible."

The school said it had spoken with the police and had been told the offenders were wearing black and yellow uniforms.

Jeff Ellis, deputy principal, said: “This incident, which was over two weeks ago, has only just come to our attention.

“We have spoken with the police and are checking our own attendance records which, along with the descriptions, gives us a very good chance of identifying these young people, if indeed they are our students.

“I would reinforce the police message and ask these people to come forward.”

Anyone with information should call police in Bolton on 0161 856 5660 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.