A GANG of thugs battered and robbed a teenager in a late night attack in Lanarkshire. 

The 16-year-old boy was pounced on by the brutes while walking in East Kilbride at around 10pm on Friday. 

A group of four men and one woman assaulted the victim in Penfold Crescent before making off with his bag and personal belongings. 

The boy suffered injuries to his face but did not require hospital treatment. 

The group of suspects are described as aged in their mid to late teens. They were wearing dark coloured clothing and one of the male suspects was wearing a red hooded tracksuit and black coloured jacket.

Detective Constable Gary Milligan, from Cambuslang Police Station, said: "We know that this happened when the area was dark however it did take place in a residential street and we are asking anyone who saw or heard anything connected to the incident to come forward.

"The teenager was thankfully not seriously injured but the group who attacked him used a level of violence that is wholly unacceptable. We would ask anyone who may have come across the rucksack discarded since, or who knows who may be responsible for this robbery, to come forward.

"Anyone who may not have seen the incident, but who recognises the description of the suspects, or who saw this group in the area immediately prior to, or after the attack, are also urged to speak to officers. Equally anyone with private CCTV or doorbell recordings should check their devices for any footage and provide this to police as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.