A TEENAGER has been mugged by a gang of four men during a violent early hours attack in Bournemouth town centre.

During the robbery one of the gang threatened the victim with a knife.

The shocked 19-year-old, who was approached by the thugs outside Pandora jewellers, Old Christchurch Road, was hit several times in the face during the attack, but only suffered minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

Dorset Police say the incident unfolded around 1.20am on Friday, January 3.

Earlier today investigating officers released a CCTV image of four men they would like to speak to in connection with the attack.

Investigations officer Emily Greenwood, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We have been making enquiries into this unprovoked, violent incident and have obtained a CCTV image of four men we would like to speak to.

"I appreciate the image is not of the best quality but would urge anyone who has any information as to their identity to please contact us."

Police say after being approached by four men the victim was tackled to the floor by one of them, who attempted to steal his phone and cash, which had just been withdrawn from a cashpoint machine.

It was only when two of the other men joined the attack that the gang succeeded in stealing his money and phone, along with a bottle of alcohol he was carrying at the time.

During the attack, the first man pulled his top up, showing the handle of a knife tucked into his waist band and threatened to use it against the victim.

The attackers then dropped the phone and the cash, taking only the bottle of alcohol before walking off towards the Lansdowne area of town.

The man with the knife was white, in his 20s, around five feet seven inches and of medium build.

He was wearing a black Nike jacket, white shorts and a black backpack.

He was with two white men and a black man, who is described as being aged in his early 20s, tall and of slim build, with two silver teeth on the bottom row.

All three were wearing grey Nike jackets.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200001011.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org