Attackers slashed an 80-year-old man with a knife before demanding he hand over money in a frightening attack in a Stevenage alleyway.

The man was walking along the path that runs between Sish lane and Pound Avenue near Fairlands Primary School when he went to pass two men who demanded he hand over his cash.

When he said he had none on him, one of the men took out a knife which he waved around before cutting the palm of the victim’s hand.

The victim shouted loudly for help and when two schoolboys came through the alleyway the attackers walked off in the direction of Sish Lane while the boys stopped to ask the victim if he was OK.

Det Con Karen Dewar, who is investigating the incident, said: “This was a busy time of the day so we are hoping that someone may have heard the victim shouting or seen the two men, who were both wearing hoodies with the hoods up.

“They would have left the alleyway into Sish Lane. We also need to speak to the two schoolboys who stopped to help the victim.”

Anyone who saw the attackers or was in the area at the time should contact Det Con Dewar on 101 quoting crime reference number E1/16/3309, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.