POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two children had their mobile phones stolen in Crawley.
The thefts, which police do not believe are linked, both happened late on the afternoon of Tuesday April 17.
The first took place at about 5pm when a 14-year-old boy walking home from school was approached by two youths in St Leonards Drive, Furnace Green.
They snatched his bag which contained his mobile phone, school blazer and other personal items, and ran off.
He was shaken but unhurt. Both suspects are described as aged between 16 and 18, with dark brown hair, and of average build. They both wore grey hooded jumpers. One was about 6ft tall and the other was about 5ft 5ins tall.
The second theft took place at about 6pm by the lake off the west side of A23 Pease Pottage Hill, opposite the K2 Centre.
A 12-year old girl was approached by a man who demanded her mobile phone and ran off with it.
Again the victim was shaken but unhurt.
The suspect is described as being in his mid-teens, and skinny with red spots on his face. He was wearing a blue and white large-check short-sleeved shirt, a hooded top and dark jeans with white writing, a blue/purple New York Yankees box-style hat with the white logo on the front.
Detective Sergeant Glenn Willcocks said; “From all the circumstances we believe that these two isolated incidents are not connected, but we are keen to hear from anyone who was in either area yesterday afternoon and saw anything suspicious.
“Please call us via 101 quoting serials 1248 or 1363 of 17/4. You can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.”