A MUM has spoken of her shock after her son’s friends were subjected to a terrifying knifepoint robbery.

A group of more than 30 targeted their victims, from Warrington, at Colliers Moss Common in St Helens on Saturday afternoon.

The woman’s teenage son had been out on his bikes with a group of around 10 friends at the nature reserve at Bold Heath.

The gang, described as being older and around their late teens, struck while he was in the water, coming 'out of nowhere' to assault and threaten the boys with knives.

They stole numerous items from them including bikes, mobile phones, clothes, trainers, bags, wallets and AirPods.

“There were lots of families and children enjoying themselves,” said the mum, who wished to remain anonymous.

“My son was in the water and did not know what was going on.

“A group of girls said 'your mates have all been jumped, they have all disappeared’, and he was on his own.

“Thankfully he was not hurt and approached a family who helped him to get home to safety.”

She added: “My son spoke to his friends, one had been kicked in the face and punched and two of the lads had a knife pulled on them, one to the throat and one to the stomach.

“A few of the lads are really shaken by it. It was a totally unprovoked robbery.

“It is a beautiful area there, but I did not know there were gangs there. They should have police monitoring that area, we thought it was a nice area.

“Our children should be able to enjoy the sunshine and being out on their bikes.”

She added: “I hope this can raise awareness and prevent it from happening again, they’re a very violent dangerous gang.

“I just hope they are held to justice and stop. I would be happy to give a £1,000 reward to anyone who comes forward with names that leads to a conviction.”

Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police on 101, or @MerPolCC on Twitter, quoting reference 22000595194, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.