A police investigation has been launched after a group of boys allegedly attempted to rob four 12-year-olds in St Albans.

At around 4.20pm on Saturday, October 11, the boys were walking across the field between Westminster Lodge and Holywell Hill.

A group of four to five older youths approached the victims and threatened them to hand over their phones.

Nothing was taken and the victims walked away towards the sports centre while the group, all thought to be aged between 14 to 15 years old, made off towards Verulamium Park.

One of the would-be robbers is described as white, of a stocky build, and around 5ft 6ins to 7ins. He was wearing grey jogging bottoms and a grey hooded top with the hood up.

Another boy is described as white and of a slim build with spiked up brown hair.

An Asian boy, who was of a skinny build, was also thought to be present, and was wearing a grey zip-up top with a white top underneath and grey jogging bottoms.

And finally police have described one of the boys as black, ‘chubby’ and around 5ft 4ins to 5ft 5ins tall.

Det Con Paul Cullinan is investigating and said: “There was a couple sitting under a tree around 200 yards from where the incident happened and I believe they will have seen what happened or have information which could prove vital to the investigation.

“If this was you please contact me. I would also like to hear from anyone else who was in the area at the time and can help.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Herts Police on the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.