Five men who police believe have strong Irish accents are being hunted after a mugging in Stevenage yesterday.

At around 10.45pm last night a 20-year-old man was walking along Six Hills Way in the town when he was approached by five men who pinned him to the ground, searched him and stole his mobile phone.

The crime took place close to the underpass by the side of Asda.

The offenders are described as white men with broad Irish accents. The first is around 5ft 10in tall, of stocky build, aged between 20 to 30 years old. He was wearing a grey ‘hoodie’, grey trousers and dark trainers.

The second man was estimated to be around the same age, and 6ft tall, of slim build. He was wearing a short, dark jacket and grey bottoms.

The third had on a tracksuit top and bottoms, with the fourth and fifth estimated to be around the same age as the first two.

Det Sgt Phoebe Butfoy said: “Thankfully the victim was not hurt during the attack but he was understandably left shaken by the ordeal.”

If you have any information call 101 quoting crime reference number E1/16/3740.