Police are appealing for witnesses after two 14-year-old girls were robbed and attacked on a bus in Borehamwood last weekend.

The pair were travelling from Edgware to Borehamwood on Saturday evening when they were approached by two black men in their early thirties.

They moved seats to avoid talking to the men, before leaving the bus at Gateshead Road and walked towards the Brookside area. As they walked along a pathway behind Leeming Road, they were approached by the two men.

After a verbal altercation, one of the men struck one of the girls, causing her to fall to the ground. As she lay on the ground, the second man started to pull the other girl's hair. The men then forcibly stole a mobile phone and some cash from the two girls before making off towards Gateshead Road.

The offenders are described as approximately 6ft tall, wearing black hoodies and trousers and they were both wearing gloves. Both men had scarves over their faces.

Detective Constable Gail Barrett, said: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on two young girls which left both of them badly shaken and requiring hospital treatment.

"We believe these men may have been disturbed by two members of the public who rode along the Aycliffe Road end of the pathway.

"Borehamwood is a busy area, particularly on the weekend and we are sure a number of people must have seen the offenders. If you have any information, no matter how trivial you consider it, please contact the police urgently."

Anyone with information should contact the central area crime desk on 01707 638 102, quoting reference J1/06/3849.