DETECTIVES are investigating an attempted robbery in which a teenager was stabbed three times during a failed mugging attempt.

The 18-year-old has waived his anonymity and spoken to Nub News about his ordeal.

Nicolas Athanasopoulos, of Reading, was in Walpole Park on Sunday (April 11) evening with two of his friends.

Just after 7pm two unknown males approached them and asked them to hand over their phones and their electric scooters.

Athanasopoulos and his friends told them to 'go away' and that's when things took a dark turn.

The teenager told Nub News: "One of them told the other guy to stab me and take the stuff and go.

"The second guy came up to me and tried to grab my scooter and when I grabbed it as well, he pulled out the knife and stabbed me three times in my shoulder.

"I let go of the scooter and he tried to run away, but I got up and kicked him in the leg, which in turn caused him to drop his knife.

"He still tried to run away with the scooter, but my friend hit him and pushed him over, causing him to let go of the scooter and ran away.

"They didn't manage to take anything and managed to lose their knife in the process too."

An ambulance was called and took Athanasopoulos to the hospital, where his injuries were not deemed to be life threatening and he got his wounds stitched up.

He added: "I read somewhere that I had to be airlifted to the hospital, but that's a lie.

"We called the ambulance; it came 20 minutes later and picked me up."

Detectives are now appealing for anyone with information or who may have witnessed the event to come forward.

There have been no arrests made, with enquiries currently ongoing.

Suspect 1 is described as a black male of stocky build, around 5ft10 in height with a well-trimmed moustache, brown eyes, and well-groomed eyebrows.

He was wearing green joggers with a black hooded puffer jacket and green hoodie.

Suspect 2 is described as a black male of slim build, over 6ft in height, with black braided hair and brown eyes, and was wearing a black mask.

Detective Constable Damian Szpak, from the Met's West Area CID, said: "This was violent behaviour which could easily have resulted in a much more tragic outcome.

"There is no place for knife crime or violence in any form on our streets and we are committed to ensuring those responsible are made to answer for their actions.

"We are continuing to pursue all lines of enquiry and urge anyone with any information, however small it may seem, to get in touch."

Any witnesses or anyone with any information are asked to call police on 101 and quote the reference number CAD 5653/11APR21.