BALACLAVA clad thugs threatened to "cut" two teenagers if they did not hand over their phones and wallets.

The two 18-year-olds were walking along Cockshot Road, when they were approached by the men wearing hooded tops with their faces covered.

They were stopped in their tracks by the terrifying prospect when walking through the quiet and dark Link common.

One of the two robbers told both the men to turn out their pockets, "if they did not want to get cut" in the frightening ordeal on Sunday night.

The victims handed over wallets and mobile phones before the thugs ran off with their possessions, even though no sighting of any weapons have been reported to the police.

Residents of the Malvern Link road have expressed their shock over the mugging.

John Chadwick, 73, said: "That sort of crime is pretty unusual for Malvern, but it seems to be happening a bit more as everyone hears about these things.

"I've not noticed a massive increase personally, but it's certainly shocking to hear about this.

"I lived in Manchester for 30 years before coming here, and this sort of things happens all the time up there. The last thing we want is Malvern to start being like that, knife crime is really bad."

Derek Mesure, who has lived in Cockshot Road for five years, said: "It's not something you would expect in this area of the town.

"It's very shocking to think there could be knife crimes being committed here.

"I still feel safe here though, I've never had a problem. One of the advantages of living in Malvern is that the crime rates here are quite low, and I hope that remains the case."

Police confirmed the mugging happened on Sunday, September 5, around 10.25pm.

One of the criminals was described as a white man aged between 19 and 21, about five feet, ten or 11 inches tall with a skinny build. He was wearing a black hoodie and may have been wearing jeans.

The other man was wearing a grey hooded top.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting incident number 0669-s-051014.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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