A teenage couple were robbed at knifepoint by two men wearing a balaclava and hood in the early hours of this Friday.

A 17-year-old male student from Saudi Arabia and an 18-year-old female student from Italy were sitting on a bench opposite the mini golf in the Lower Gardens at 320am this morning when they were approached by two men.

One pointed a blade toward the pair and demanded money. He then snatched a mobile phone from the boy and a handbag from the girl.

Both men then ran off past the Pavilion toward Westover Road.

They are described by the victims as being of Arabic appearance. One was wearing a balaclava and the other wearing a coat with a hood covering his head.

Detective Constable Neil Jones, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This type of incident is completely unacceptable and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or saw two men matching the description acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident to contact me.

"Police regularly conduct patrols throughout the town centre and Bournemouth Gardens to proactively prevent crime and disorder and we will continue to do so following this incident to offer further reassurances to the public."

Contact Dorset Police via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55160124949. Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.