A teenager was “callously” robbed of more than £5,000 he had saved as a deposit for his first house.

The 16-year-old, who had been working part-time to save the cash, had taken it in a carrier bag to a newsagents.

He wanted to wire the £5,500 from a Western Union transfer point to a family member in Pakistan who was borrowing it to repair their house.

But staff at the Kandies newsagents in Langley Green, Crawley, turned him away because he was under-18.

Just seconds later, as he left the shop, the lad was attacked from behind and punched to the floor by a man.

Police believe that while the lad was in the newsagents, an opportunistic thief spotted his bundle of cash and decided to steal it.

The attacker grabbed what cash he could from the lad as he lay stricken on the floor and ran off towards Leverett Lane, Langley Green.

A second man was seen picking up cash that had fallen onto the pavement and also fled the scene.

The theft happened at about 11.30am on April 7 but police have only just appealed for witnesses.

The boy, who is also from Crawley, was injured in the attack and taken to hospital where he was treated for cuts to his face.

His mother told police that her son had been given £2,000 by a family member and had worked part-time in a shop to save up the rest of the money as he knew how hard buying his first home would be.

She said he had not missed a day of school in more than four years and was a model pupil.

DS Allana Hughes from Crawley police, branded the attack “callous” and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

She said: “Fortunately, the young man who was targeted was not seriously injured in this callous attack.

“He had worked tirelessly to save up the money for a deposit to buy a house - the thief took all this away in a moment of opportunistic greed.

“Someone must know who this thief is. Crawley CID are appealing to them to contact them, anonymously if necessary, so that the assailant can be brought to justice.”

The suspect is described as dark-skinned and in his late 20s.

He is about 5ft 9 of medium build, with short black hair and was wearing a light grey top.

The second man is also dark-skinned and was wearing a hooded jumper and a baseball cap.

Police say it is not yet clear whether he was with the attacker or not.

Several witnesses have already come forward to give evidence to police.

But officers are appealing for anyone else at the shopping parade at the time of the incident or in the Leverett Lane are shortly after 11.30am on the day to come forward.

Anyone with information should call Crawley CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.