Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted robbery in Marston Ferry Road.

At about 12.30am on May 7, a 17-year-old boy was walking along the road when three boys came up to him and demanded that he hand over his phone and wallet.

The boy refused so they then punched him in the face. The boy hit them back and they ran away without taking the phone or wallet.

One of the boys was white, about 5ft 8in tall and slim, with messy, short, sandy-coloured hair. He was wearing a black Fenchurch hooded top with a blue T-shirt underneath and tan-coloured trousers. He was aged about 17.

The second boy was white and about 5ft 4in tall. He was about 16 years old and described as fat, with a dent on the bridge of his nose. He was wearing a grey hooded top with a zip and a black T-shirt underneath and dark blue jeans.

The third boy was believed to be either of Eastern European or South American appearance and about 17 years old. He was wearing a black Adidas hooded top with three stripes down the left sleeve and light blue, faded jeans and black trainers. He has messy, shoulder-length, black hair.

PC Fran Whyte said: “The boys didn’t end up stealing anything but we are still treating this incident seriously and are keen to catch those responsible.

“I urge anyone with any information to help with my investigation, to contact me.”

Anyone with any information about the incident to contact PC Whyte at Oxford police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.