A CYCLIST snatched an 11-year-old boy's mobile phone and rode off with it in a daylight theft.

The victim was walking along Bredon Avenue in the Birchen Coppice area of Kidderminster between 3.25pm and 3.40pm on Tuesday last week.

A male riding a BMX bike went past the youngster and took the phone out of his hands, making off down a nearby alleyway. The phone was a silver-coloured Sagem myV55 model, worth around £60.

The offender was described as white with an average build. He was wearing a dark blue Nike hooded top with the hood up, blue jeans and white trainers.

A police spokesman said: "We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who was in the Birchen Coppice area near Bredon Avenue on that afternoon and recalls seeing anyone riding off hurriedly on a BMX bike."

He also warned young people to keep their mobiles out of sight and be discreet if using them in public places. They should also use safety features, such as security locks and PINs.