POLICE detectives investigating an incident where a boy was reportedly threatened by two teenagers in Bournemouth are appealing for a potential witness to come forward.

Dorset Police received an initial report at 3.41pm on Thursday July 20 that a 12-year-old boy had been threatened on Harewood Avenue.

It was reported that one of the teenagers who made the threats was in possession of a knife.

Officers attended and a search of the area was carried out, with assistance from the NPAS helicopter.

Two 14-year-old boys, both from Bournemouth, were arrested on suspicion of assault and possessing a bladed article and have since been released under investigation.

Detective Constable Sarah Close, of Bournemouth CID, said: "We have been making a number of enquiries since the incident and we have established that the victim may have flagged down a passing motorist prior to the arrival of police.

"We are now trying to trace this person as they may hold key information that could assist with the investigation.

"I would ask this person or anyone with any information about the incident to please get in touch with Dorset Police urgently."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police quoting incident number 20:296 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The incident is the third report in the space of a month of youngsters being threatened by teens while walking home from school.

On the afternoon of June 27, three schoolboys aged 13 were threatened at knifepoint and robbed in Slades Farm. They were thought to be from nearby Glenmoor and Winton Academies.

The robbers were described as two teenage boys on bikes.

Just moments later another 13-year-old boy walking with his girlfriend was robbed in the same location, again by two teenage boys.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with these incidents and was later released under investigation.