POLICE in Preston say three armed robberies outside a cinema in Preston may be connected.

On Friday, March 1, three 16-year-old schoolboys came out of the UCI cinema, on the Riversway Docks, Preston, and were all chased by teenagers wielding knives, who demanded they hand over their mobile phones.

The first victim came out of the cinema at around 9.10pm followed by two others at around 10.15pm.

One of the offenders was white, around 16 or 17 years old, thin and around 5ft 11ins tall. He was wearing a light coloured coat with a dark tracksuit.

One of the black offenders was 17 to 18 years old and was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up.

Detective Inspector Pat Gill of Preston police said: "These people are targeting people as they're leaving the cinema, which is obviously a meeting place for young teenagers.

"We are hoping somebody will have seen the white male and two black males outside the cinema."

Anybody with information should call Preston police on 203203.