A SCHOOLBOY has told of the terrifying moment he was held at knifepoint while on his way to school. 

Alfie Marszall, 12, was cycling to Redbridge Community School in Southampton on Thursday morning when the shocking incident took place. 

Having arrived early, he decided to go to the park to play football with his friends. 

But a teenager then approached him and demanded Alfie's bike before brandishing a knife. 

Speaking to the Daily Echo alongside his mum Gemma Matthews, Alfie said he first spotted the suspect when he rode down the street.

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A confrontation then took place between the suspect and a woman in a car, before he turned on Alfie.

The youngster said: "He came back down the road to me and said 'give me your bike now'.

"Then he’s got his knife out. He then went away and that was the end."

Alfie said the incident has left him "worried" and that during his day at school, he had to tell the police what happened.

Alfie's mum says she is concerned about what could happen next. 

Gemma said: "You just don’t think it will ever happen to you do you.

Daily Echo: Redbridge Community School.Redbridge Community School.

"I am really worried about him going back to school. The boy’s seen his face. He knows what he looks like. 

"He’s only just started going out and about on his own anyway, he’s only 12 but that’s probably going to stop now after this. It’s a shame, it's not fair."

Gemma said she will now be driving her son to and from school. 

She said Alfie is "in shock" and he is quiet because the incident is "playing on his mind". 

Soon after the incident at around 8.20am a letter was sent out to all parents at the school from headteacher, Jason Ashley. 

He said the school is "totally confident the assailant is not a student" and that the school has invested in CCTV, anti-climb fences and secure entrances in the past. 

Daily Echo: Alfie Marszall.Alfie Marszall.

The letter read: "I do not wish to worry or alarm you. But I would encourage you to be alert, report to us any issues and ensure that your son/daughter walks home in groups and arrangements are made for the collection of your child if they remain in school for clubs or revision."

The individual is described as wearing a balaclava, between 15 and 16-years-old, white, of slim build and around 5ft 8ins tall. 

He had been spotted riding a bike erratically in nearby Kendall Avenue and later struck out at the woman's car, breaking two lights. 

School staff were also abused by the masked assailant. Mr Ashley praised staff for their actions.

Police have launched an investigation and Redbridge ward councillor, Sally Spicer has advised anyone with information to contact the force to "prevent this happening again". 

She said: "Fortunately, incidents of this nature are incredibly rare. This incident must have had a very distressing impact on the child involved.

"My son is the same age and I can’t begin to imagine what the child went through.

"It must have been terrifying and a shock for the family hearing this news."

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said the force will be conducting patrols at the school and has asked anyone with information or footage to report it via 101, online or 999 if a crime is in action.

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