POLICE have written to parents after robbers threatened to shoot three teenagers in a Hampshire park.

The trio brandished what officers believe may have been a pistol and demanded that the youths hand over their mobile phones.

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo one of the victims – a boy aged 15 - eventually gave them his iPhone 4.

Now Inspector Simon Tribe has written to parents to reassure them, describing it as extremely rare incident.

Insp Tribe says parents should always know where their children are, ensure they never flaunt valuable items and stress that they should avoid alcohol and cannabis, which can make them vulnerable.

Police are hunting three white youths aged about 20, one of whom wore a black hoodie and tracksuit trousers. One of the others was wearing a grey hoodie and had diamond-like studs in both ears.

Ring Lyndhurst CID on 101.