AN ANGLER was robbed at knifepoint by two youths.

The 40-year-old man was night fishing at Richworth Linear Fisheries, near Stanton Harcourt, at 3.30am on Sunday, police said today.

He spotted two youths attempting to steal his fishing gear and when he went to stop them one pulled out knife and made threats.

They stole £2,500 worth of fishing gear and fled in a waiting van, or truck, being driven by a third person.

The youths stole a Nash rod pod with stainless steel legs, three Delkim TXI bite alarms, three dark green Grey's Prodigy 13ft carp rods and three silver-coloured Daiwa Basia reels.

They are both in their late teens, about 6ft tall and spoke with a Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire accent.

Det Con Paddy O'Grady, of Witney CID, said: "I would like to warn anglers to take care. There have been other recent minor thefts of gear in the area, but this is the first robbery and this step-up in seriousness concerns us.

"These two youths were hanging around for a while before this robbery - they were first heard about 1.30am - and were talking briefly to anglers about whether or not they had had any success. If you were there at the time and spoke to these youths, please get in touch.

"If you are out night fishing, please keep an eye out for anyone who seems as though they shouldn't be there, or for suspicious vehicles parked up nearby. If you are worried, call 999 immediately.

"Finally, can I ask for anyone who has been offered this equipment or seen it on sale, perhaps on the Internet or at a car boot sale, to get in touch. If you see expensive fishing equipment on sale for price well below the market value then it could well be stolen."

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.