POLICE are hunting a gang of teenagers in connection with a violent robbery at knifepoint in Eldene.

Officers say a group of up to seven young men assaulted two other male teens at knifepoint on Tuesday for the sake of a mobile phone and some cigarette papers.

The incident came just hours after an affray in the same area, for which an 18-year-old male is in custody.

PC Susan Day, a member of the town’s Priority Crime Team, said yesterday: “A male has been arrested on suspicion of affray following an incident around lunch-time at around 1pm.

“We do not know at this stage whether the two incidents are linked.

“One witness has now been interviewed in relation to the robbery, and we are seeking information regarding a group of youths, aged between 15 and 16 years.

“We only have descriptions of four suspects at this stage but we believe there were up to seven of them.”

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Swindon police are investigating an offence of robbery that occurred near the bus stop on Eldene Drive close to the Morrision’s supermarket on Tuesday, September 9 between 9.20pm and 9.40pm.

“Two white males in their teens were attacked in what appears to be an unprovoked attack by a group of five to seven males.

“One of the victims was punched to the head and body and both males were threatened at knifepoint to hand over property. A mobile phone has been stolen, Rizla papers and two lighters.”

The suspect carrying the knife is described as white, 5ft 5in tall, and wearing a red top.

A second suspect was a black male, around 14 to 15 years old and skinny with a shaved head, and two cuts above his right eyebrow. He was wearing a blue t-shirt with writing on the front and navy blue jeans.

The third suspect is described as white with blonde hair, 5ft 9in tall and wearing a dark long-sleeved jacket zipped up in the middle.

The fourth suspect was riding a black BMX, of a tubby build and wearing a full grey tracksuit.

Anyone with any information about the incident can contact the Priority Crime Team on 101.