An investigation has been launched after a girl was threatened on her way home from school. 

Sussex Police said there was an attempted robbery in Gatehouse Lane, Burgess Hill on Thursday afternoon shortly before 4pm when a woman tried to take a girl's phone.

The mum of the victim wrote on Facebook stating a school aged girl wearing a Covid mask made the threat.

The mum wrote: "The girl started swearing at my daughter and told her to hand her phone over or she will be stabbed.

"The girl lifted her top and showed a knife in waistband. My girl ran and phoned me.

"I just want to make people aware of what happened. The police are involved and school are aware. This happened between Gatehouse Lane and Tesco express in Burgess Hill."

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A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Police were called to a report of an attempted robbery in Gatehouse Lane, Burgess Hill at around 3.45pm on Thursday (25 April).

"It is believed a girl was approached by a woman who tried taking her phone and threatened her. Nothing was stolen and no injuries were reported.

"An investigation is underway.

"Witnesses or anyone with any information or footage is asked to contact police online or call 101 quoting serial 846 of 25/04."

No further information has been released at this time and no arrests have been made.