A MAN witnessed a violent attempted robbery in Runcorn.

The 24-year-old was walking through the woods off Halton Lodge Avenue when he saw a man shouting incoherently as he tried to force a man to hand over his phone and wallet before assaulting him.

The victim then ran out of the woods and into a car park where he spoke to a woman with a pram.

The incident happened at 4pm on Wednesday, September 13.

Two men were standing with the offender as he threatened the victim.

Detective Constable John Verry, of Runcorn CID, said: “This was a nasty unprovoked attack on a man who was going about his business.

“I want to urge anyone with any information to come forward, in particular the two men who were stood with the offender at the time the assault took place and the woman who spoke to the victim after he had been assaulted.”

A 39-year-old man from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has been released under investigation.

The police today appealed for witnesses.

Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 684 of 13 September.

Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.