A knife-wielding man demanded a wallet from a teenager who was walking on his own last night.

The incident is reported to have taken place near Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, just after 5pm yesterday.

Det Con Hilary Bell said: "A teenage boy was walking along Castle Hill Avenue when a man with a knife grabbed his clothing and demanded he hand over his wallet.

"Despite the boy telling him there was no money in it, the offender took it from his pocket and checked inside. When he realised it was empty he ran off towards the train station."

The offender is described as white, about 5ft 10in to 5ft 11in and of an average build.

He had an English accent and brown eyes and was wearing a grey tracksuit, a black woolly hat and gloves, a dark grey patterned bandana and black Nike trainers.

Det Con Bell added: "The incident only lasted a matter of seconds and fortunately the victim was not hurt, but it was clearly an extremely distressing ordeal for him and we are keen to catch the offender.

"We ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who recognises the offender’s description to contact us immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01843 222289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number ZY/4796/17.