by Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

CCTV images have been released after a 12-year-old schoolgirl was pulled to the ground by her hair while her friend was robbed of her mobile phone.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers have released images of two teenage girls they want to interview in connection with the incident at the Arena tram stop, in Albert Road, South Norwood.

PC Andy James, of Croydon BTP, said the 12-year-old Croydon girl was waiting for a tram at the Sandilands stop at about 3.30pm on the day of the attack.

He added: "As a tram approached, the victim became aware of two youths, aged around 16, standing next to her, one of whom was trying to steal her phone from her blazer pocket.

"When the victim asked what the youth was doing she replied that she was only joking and went and stood with the other youth."

Later, when the victim and a friend left the tram at Arena, they were approached by the two youths.

One of them demanded the victim hand her phone over before grabbing her and wrenching her to the ground by her hair and threatening to punch her if she didn't comply.

When the victim's 12-year-old friend from Anerley, offered her phone in an attempt to stave off the attackers, one of the youths snatched it and the pair fled.

PC James said: "This was a frightening and intimidating ordeal for the victims, who at only 12 years old had absolutely no chance of defending themselves against this pair. We have made local enquiries into this incident and would like to identify and speak to the two youths pictured in the CCTV images."

The incident happened on Wednesday March 31.

Anyone with any information or who recognises the girls in the CCTV images should contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident B8 LSA of 22/07/10 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.