A teenager was punched in the face after a man tried to snatch his mobile phone.

The 17-year-old boy was walking along Mill Road, Stock, at 10.30pm yesterday when a man attacked him close to All Saints Church.

The man tried to take the boy’s iPhone from his hand but didn’t manage to.

The boy ran off and the white man, aged between 30 and 35, fled down an alleyway The man had stubble, a thin nose and was wearing a dark hooded top.

Investigating officer Dc Dan Smith from Chelmsford CID said: "I’m interested to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident or a person matching this description leave the alleyway near All Saints Church or Well Lane by Sunnybrook Farm.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.