A TEENAGE boy fishing in St Helens, almost drowned after a gang of youths pushed him into the water and stole his and a companion's fishing equipment.

The two 13 year olds were fishing in St Helens Canal at the Hotties site near the World of Glass at 7pm on Thursday, August 3 when the gang of about five male youths approached. One stole a Motorola mobile phone from the bag of one of the boys and then pushed him away and stole his fishing rod. The other boy came to help but was pushed into the canal and the gang also stole his rod and reel before making their escape, leaving the boy struggling in the water.

He managed to get out and the boys were later able to describe three of the gang. One was about 15, around 5ft 7ins tall and stocky with light brown hair and wore a white baseball cap and a red and blue tracksuit. Another was about 14, around 5ft 2ins tall and very thin with short, brown hair and was wearing a white tracksuit. A third was also aged about 14 with dark brown hair, thin and wore a blue and white tracksuit.

If you have any information, contact DC Bev Burgess at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6064 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.