A TEENAGER was forced to get on his knees and apologise by younger boys who tried to steal his bag.

The victim was playing football with a friend on an outdoor basketball court off Grattons Drive in Crawley when they were approached by three people who asked if they could join in.

A short while later, one suspect attempted to take one of the victim’s bags.

When the victim tried to stop him, he was punched inthe face and another suspect also hit him before he was told to get on his knees.

The second victim was then ordered to hand over his bag, which he refused to do.

While trying to run away, he tripped and fell, at which point he was repeatedly punched and kicked by the suspects.

The victims, both aged 19 and from Crawley, eventually made off and called police.

They suffered minor injuries and nothing was stolen.

The first suspect is described as mixed race, about 5ft 8in, stocky, and wearing a facial covering similar to a scarf or bandana.

The second was white, about 6ft, slim and wearing dark-coloured trousers and shoes and a light-coloured hooded coat.

The third suspect was mixed race, about 5ft 8 and stocky with black hair and facial hair.

He was wearing a hat, a big black coat and dark-coloured trousers and black shoes.

Three boys arrested in connection with the incident – two aged 16 and one aged 14, and all from Crawley – have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

The incident happened at about 1.15pm on Monday and anyone who saw what happened is asked to report it online via sussex.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 725 of 13/11.