A TEENAGER was robbed of her phone and attacked after giving the time to a passer-by.

The 16-year-old victim, of Horley, was approached by a man who asked her for the time in Langley Walk, Crawley, between 5pm and 5.30pm on Wednesday (17/9). He walked with her to Langley Green Farm before snatching her white Samsung Galaxy S3 phone from her hand, striking her underneath the chin at the same time.

Police described the attacker was white, 18 or 19 and skinny. He was wearing a light grey hooded jumper with a zip, dark blue straight-legged jeans, dark trainers and a bright yellow belt.

PC Sophie Alderson said: "Thankfully the victim wasn't injured but she has been left badly shaken by what happened.

"The thief preyed on her when she tried to help him. We need the public's help to catch him as quickly as possible."

Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting 1175 of 17/09, call 101.