A THUG armed with a hammer nicked a mobile phone from a 12-year-old schoolboy.

The hammer yob pounced on the youngster as he was walking with his 13-year-old friend at around 4.15pm yesterday at St Lawrence Park near to Falkland Drive in East Kilbride.

Police say the heartless thief, who had the hammer in his hand, approached them, kicked the 13-year-old boy and then threatened the 12 year old boy to hand over his iPhone.

The suspect then ran off towards St Lawrence Park in possession of the stolen mobile. He is described as white, between 16 and 19 years of age and is 5ft 5ins to 5ft 7ins in height. He was wearing a grey Adidas hooded top, dark jogging bottoms and had a balaclava style item covering his face.

Neither of the boys were injured during the incident.

Constable Louise Bern, Community Investigations Unit, Rutherglen Police Station, said: “Thankfully neither of the boys, who were on their way home from school, were injured but it was terrifying for them to experience.

“Although the man did not brandish the hammer at the boys, for him even to be carrying it and to threaten the children is shocking.

“St Lawrence Park and Falkland Drive are residential and officers have been in the area carrying out door to door enquiries as well as checking CCTV, however, we would still like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident.

“It’s possible that someone may have seen the suspect hanging about the area or running off. If you did, or if you have any information that will assist our enquiry, then please contact the Community Investigation Unit at Rutherglen Police Station via 101 and quote incident number 2494/27. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted in confidence on 0800 555 111.

“Additional patrols are in the area. Should you have any concerns or information, then please speak those officers as well.”