Nine Jewish teenage boys were robbed at knifepoint close to The Zone youth club in Leeds on Saturday night.

Two men, described as white and aged between 15 and 18, threatened the boys and made off with money and mobile phones.

Four of the victims suffered facial injuries, one receiving hospital treatment for a laceration. They had been walking to the club to attend a music event.

The Zone's chief executive Raina Sheaf said the boys arrived in a state of shock and panic. This is a terrible wake-up call for the youth. The local neighbourhood police always advise not to use mobile phones or iPods in public as these kind of muggers look for easy targets. We strongly advise all youth walking to and from an event to stay in groups, stick to the main roads and well-lit areas and not to detour en route for any reason."

West Yorkshire police inspector Andrew Briggs said: "Following interviews with those involved, we do not believe there was any antisemitic element to the incident and the crime is being investigated as a robbery."

An appeal has been made for information.