A LARGE gang of teenagers closed in on a man in East Oxford and stole alcohol from him as he carried it home.

The group, all aged between 17 and 18 years old, approached their 18-year-old victim on bikes in Howard Street on Saturday night.

The victim was walking on the street, which runs between Cowley Road and Iffley Road, between 8.15pm and 8.30pm in the direction of Catherine Street.

Issuing an appeal for information today, Thames Valley Police described the incident as a 'robbery', which involves the use of intimidation or force, but did not clarify if threats or violence were used.

The force has issued descriptions of some of the teenagers: 

- An Asian man, around 5ft 8ins tall, clean shaven and slim. He was wearing a black puffer jacket with the hood up, black tracksuit bottoms, black trainers and was riding a black mountain bike

- A black man, around 5ft 10ins tall, clean shaven and slim. He was wearing a black puffer jacket with the hood up, dark tracksuit bottoms and black trainers

- A white man, around 5ft 6ins tall with short sandy-coloured hair and slim. He was wearing a white puffer jacket and light coloured tracksuit bottoms

There are currently no descriptions of the other members of the group.

Investigating officer PC Jamie Thornton, based at Oxford police station said: "As this incident involved a large group of people, I believe someone may have witnessed it.

"If you saw this incident taking place, or believe you recognise the description of any of the men, please get in touch with us to help with our investigation."

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting the reference 43180367918, report information online, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.