A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was thrown to the ground and his pockets were searched by three thieves.

The teenager was riding his bike along a canal towpath near Kingmoor Avenue, Radcliffe, on Wednesday at 6pm when he was grabbed and pushed to the floor.

A mobile phone, compact disc player and a wallet were stolen. All three offenders, who were white and aged about 16, then ran off. The first robber wore an Umbro hooded top and the second had on a light grey hooded top, a blue Nike hat, dark blue Nike tracksuit bottoms and dark Nike air trainers.

They were accompanied by a youth in a blue hooded top and dark blue or black tracksuit bottoms which were tucked into white socks.