A MAN was robbed by teenagers brandishing a meat cleaver in Sankey Valley Park on Monday night.

The 52-year-old victim was walking along a footpath next to the St Helens Canal shortly before 6pm on February 24 when he was verbally abused by two unknown boys.

When he challenged the pair, one of them produced a meat cleaver from down the front of his trousers and demanded that he hand over money and his mobile phone.

After the man refused and took his mobile phone out to dial 999, he was chased by the teens – who threatened to attacked him if he called the police.

He put his phone away and the robbers fled in the direction of the footbridge over Sankey Way, near to the Peace Centre.

The suspects are described as being white and aged between 14 and 16, with the teenager armed with the meat cleaver around 5ft10 with a proportionate build and straight, medium length mousey hair.

Police say he spoke with a Warrington accent and was wearing a green zipped-up jacket, black tracksuit bottoms or jeans and black trainers.

Meanwhile, the other boy was around 5ft11 with a slim build and blonde, medium length straight hair.

He was wearing a silver or grey matching tracksuit and trainers and was riding a black mountain bike.

Detective constable Rob Thorpe said: “Thankfully, the victim in this case was not injured.

“However, the ordeal has understandably left him shaken up.

“We are doing all that we can to trace the teenagers responsible so that they face the consequences of their actions.

“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing, and as part of the investigation we are appealing for anyone who was in the area and believes they may have seen something suspicious to get in touch.

“The same goes for anyone who recognises the description of the offenders and believes they may know who the offenders are.

“I’d ask anyone with any information which may assist the investigation, no matter how small, to contact the team here at Warrington.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML645483, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.