A TERRIFIED 10-year-old boy was being comforted by his family today after being threatened with a knife by a robber who rode off on the bike he got for Christmas.

And police have issued a warning to parents about the safety of their children after the incident, which occurred just a week after a 13-year-old boy was punched in the face by a man who took his mountain bike.

In the latest incident, Nathan Jolley was chased by a man who produced a four-inch blade at the rear of Tythebarn Street, Darwen, and told the youngster to get off his new mountain bike.

The pupil at Holy Trinity Primary School, Darwen, was returning home to Laurel Avenue after visiting a relative when the robber struck at 5.15pm on Wednesday.

He handed over the lime green Leeways full suspension bike and ran, screaming, to his auntie's home.

His shocked parents Laura and Chris Jolley have been comforting Nathan at home.

Mrs Jolley said: "This man needs to be caught. What he has done is frightening. Luckily Nathan had the sense to hand over the bike immediately and wasn't hurt, but it could have been much worse.

"The whole thing has knocked him for six. The bike was a surprise Christmas present and he was chuffed to bits with it. It was his pride and joy. He was so upset and shocked he couldn't speak. We've had to keep him off school to recover."

The thief is white, about 18-years-old, 6ft tall with blond spikey hair and he was wearing a navy jacket and jeans.

A similar attack happened in Blackburn just a week ago when 13-year-old Tyler Roberts, 13, of Greenside Avenue, Blackburn, was punched in the face by a robber who took his mountain bike in Mill Hill. Police are investigating both incidents. Anybody with information should ring Darwen CID on 01254 701777.

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