A YOUNG man was threatened with a blade and punched in the stomach by a thug who ran off with his wallet in Banbury last week.

At 5.15pm on Friday, the 26-year-old victim was in People's Park when he was approached by another man, who asked him for a lighter.

The offender is described as a black man, around 5'7" and of medium build. He was  wearing a black jacket with the hood up and had covered his face with a dark-coloured scarf.

When the victim could not provide a lighter the man threatened him with a bladed weapon police believe to be a knife.

The victim's black leather wallet, which contained cash, his driver's licence and a bank card, was stolen from him.

The robber then hit him in the stomach before running off.

The victim did not need hospital treatment.

PC Richard Blewitt from Banbury Police Station said: "This was a traumatising experience for the victim and we are determined to identify who is responsible."

If you witnessed the robbery or have any information that could help police, call 101 quoting reference 43170041718.