A mother has pleaded for the teenagers responsible for a “vicious” attack on her son to come forward.

At around 10.10pm on Tuesday night, an 18-year-old was followed, jumped from behind, then chased, kicked and robbed by four boys, as he walked along Leavesden Road in Watford.

He had his coat and iPhone stolen from him as the teenagers, aged between 16 and 18, ran off leaving their victim with cuts and bruises.

This is not the first time the boy has been targeted. A couple of years ago, a knife was pulled on him in an alleyway near the Dome roundabout.

Tuesday’s attack began near Jubilee Road and continued towards Longspring where the thugs began kicking the boy in his stomach and face.

As the boy tried to escape, he was clipped by a moving car which did not stop.

The victim’s family, who have asked to remain anonymous, say a number of people may have seen what happened.

The mother said: “My son was viciously hurt. He is a tough cookie and these kids are cowards. These days kids are running riot. We don’t want this to happen to other children. I’m pleading for the kids who did it to come forward, but please if you saw anything, contact the police.

“This has left my boy with cuts and bruises but it is the mental scars that he has to live with now. He is so brave. He is back at college already. We just want to find the cowards who did this.”

The attackers were all wearing dark hoodies and had their faces covered. They are believed to be of slim build and around six feet tall.

Police are investigating and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting crime reference 41/42454/18 or can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.