Appeal after children chased and struck in robbery

Officers are examining local and business CCTV footage as part of the investigation

Two children were chased in north Devon by a male offender, who demanded money and struck one of them, police have said.

The robbery happened in the Roundswell area of Barnstaple on 24 March.

Officers said the children were on the footpath leading to Mulberry Way from Beech Close between 12:00 BST and 14:00 BST.

Police have begun an investigation and asked anyone with information to get in touch.

Devon and Cornwall Police explained the children had been "chased by a male offender who demanded money from the older child, before striking him and taking a sports drink from him".

A spokesperson said: "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.

"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."