A YOUNGSTER was sitting with a group of friends on the recreational field at the rear of the Sherwood Arms, in Sherwood Way, Fulwood, when he was approached by three youths.

One asked for a cigarette and when he stated he had none they began to search his pockets - and one of them head-butted him.

The incident happened on Saturday, November 4, at 9.20pm. After stealing his mobile telephone and cash the youths made off.

All three youths are described as white. The first was aged 15, 5ft 11ins, with a shaved head and wearing a Nike sweatband around his neck, a red and black fleece jumper, black tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

The second youth was aged 14, with short, blond wavy hair and stocky build.

The third boy was also aged about 14 and is described as small and wearing a cream tracksuit with the hood up.

At just after 3pm on Tuesday, November 7, a youth stole a mobile telephone from the cab of a Mercedes van while the driver was delivering to a school in St Austin's Place, in Avenham, Preston, and while a second youngster kept watch.

The youth is described as white, aged 15, 5ft 7ins, slim built and wearing a baseball cap, white jacket which was possibly padded nylon and dark trousers.

His accomplice was also white, very short, aged 11 or 12, slim build with brown-cropped hair and a scar on the back of his head. He was wearing a white and blue jacket, dark tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

At 10.20pm on Sunday, November 5, a man was involved in a brief argument with another man over a minor incident in the Black Bull pub, in Friargate, Preston, when suddenly, he punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor.

The man is described as white with very short, dark hair and wearing rectangular framed blue tinted glasses and dressed in white and blue striped shirt and a leather jacket.

At 8.15pm on Sunday, November 5, a young teenager was walking along Belmont Avenue, Ribbleton, Preston, when he was approached by three white boys aged 16 to 17 who demanded money.

When he refused, two of the youths held him while the third kicked him in the chest and stole £10 from his pocket.

The first was around 6ft, slim build, with short cropped hair, moustache and wearing a black coat and white trainers.

The second was 5ft 8ins, of stocky build with short brown hair, red faced with a local accent and wearing a cream coat and white trainers.

The third youth was 6ft wearing glasses and dressed in a white coat with a hood over his head and possibly brown shoes.