POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a 45-year-old man was the victim of an attempted robbery and assault in Blackbird Leys.

On Tuesday, at about 5pm, he was walking his small, brown and white terrier past the parade of shops on Blackbird Leys Road when he realised he was being followed by a gang of about six youths.

Near the Evenlode Tower, he was stopped and surrounded and the youths demanded he give them his mobile phone.

He refused and was grabbed by the arms by two of the youths while another scratched his face with a sharp object believed to have been picked up off the floor. It left him with shallow cuts and scratches.

Three of the youths were white and three black. They are aged 16-18 and all were wearing dark clothing and hooded tops with the hoods up.

Det Con Jo Holland of the Oxford Robbery Team said: "Despite his injuries being minor, this man has been left upset and frightened by this attack in broad daylight.

"It happened at a busy time of day and right outside the Evenlode Tower, so we are hoping someone may have seen this incident and will come forward."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det Con Holland via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you do not want to speak to police and do not want to leave your name, contact Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.