TEENAGE muggers are targeting children in Blackburn town centre.

Police have warned youngsters to be on their guard after a string of attacks in the town at the start of the school holidays.

Detectives are investigating two more attacks by teenagers in the last week.

A 13-year-old was attacked by an eight-strong gang in Blackburn shopping centre last Friday and threatened with a weapon. The youth was approached by the gang who demanded cash .

When he refused they followed him and snatched his bag containing cash and three Playstation computer games.

The leader was 5ft, slim with black hair and a tanned face.

He was wearing a black Adidas jacket and is thought to have been carrying a weapon.

The other youths were aged between 12 and 13 and wearing casual sports clothing.

A youngster was also approached in King William Street earlier this week, manhandled and had £15 stolen from him.

Police have issued descriptions of the three youths who attacked the 12-year-old.

The first was 14 to 15, slim, wearing an orange jacket and black jeans. His accomplice was aged 15 to 16, stocky with short brown hair and wearing jeans and a check shirt.

The third youth was 13, 5ft 2in, slim with short sandy hair.

Det Inspector Tony Harling, of Blackburn CID, said: "The school holidays have started and obviously there are a lot of children in the town centre.

"We have had several reported incidents and youngsters should be aware of the problem.

"It seems there are a number of groups of youths operating who are targeting younger children.

"We are asking youngsters to be vigilant particularly of groups of youths who may be several years older than them."

Anyone with information about incidents should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.

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