A TEENAGER is recovering after being punched in the ribs and head by a man who tried to take her mobile phone.

The 16-year-old student was attacked by a man in his 20s as she walked down an alleyway between Hartington Street and Otway Street, Chatham, just after 3pm on Monday, August 22.

He stopped the girl and asked her for the time. As she took her phone out of her pocket to check, he tried to snatch it.

The offender, who is described as 5ft 10in and skinny with mousey brown hair, punched the girl as she tried to get away. As he pulled the chains the girl was wearing around her neck, she bit the attacker’s right arm.

The man was wearing stone-washed jeans, muddy Reebok trainers, one of which had a hole at the front and a football shirt which may have been Brazilian. He ran off towards Hartington Street.

PC Caroline Brannan said: "The bite on the offender’s arm would certainly have left teeth marks and would cause bruising.

"We would appeal for anyone who may have seen someone with these types of marks, bruising and/or wearing a silky yellow football shirt to contact us as a matter of urgency.

"We know that there were three men sitting in a white car in the area at the time of the incident.

"The two men in the front of the car were white and one was wearing a NYC baseball cap. The third man in the back of the car was described as mixed race.

"We would appeal for these people to come forward or anyone who may have seen them as they may have information that will help with our enquires."

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.