POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was confronted by a man who accused the 17-year-old of picking up £20 he had lost.

Police said the student was walking alone near the Lion Hotel, in Bromsgrove Street, at about 5.45pm on Monday, June 16, when he was initially approached by a man who asked if he had seen £20.

The teenager replied that he hadn’t and carried on walking but as he reached the car park opposite the health centre the man approached him again, swore at him and accused him of picking up money which belonged to him.

The man ordered him to turn out his pockets, which the student eventually did, and then searched him although nothing was taken.

The offender then walked towards the Lion Hotel.

Police describe the man as white, in his 30s, about 5 ft 11 ins, medium build, with short, straight dark brown hair and facial stubble.

He was wearing a short-sleeved grey shirt and blue jeans.

PC Helen Stark, investigating, said: “The student, who did not know this man, felt very intimidated during this incident which lasted for more than 20 minutes.

“A couple who were standing nearby may well have seen what was happening and I would urge them to come forward and contact us along with anyone else who witnessed this or can help us trace the man involved.”

Anyone with information should call officers at Kidderminster Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting the incident reference 703-S-160614.

Details may also be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk-org