The parents of two boys allegedly robbed at knifepoint in Barking have described how the ordeal "destroyed our lives completely". 

They agreed to speak with this paper after reporting to police that their children had been robbed at knifepoint by a group of six teenagers. 

The alleged incident occurred along Longbridge Road on March 7 when the boys were making their way home from school and were stopped by the group. 

After allegedly demanding the boys hand over a phone, an argument is said to have broken out leading to one of the gang revealing a knife. 

The victims' dad said: "The boys described it as a zombie killer, like a Rambo knife. A rigid blade, big silver blade sort of thing.

This Is Local London: The incident is said to have occurred along Longbridge RoadThe incident is said to have occurred along Longbridge Road (Image: Google Maps)"They said you could see the length of it because he had it inside his school trousers and as he pulled it out you could see the length of it."

Their mum added: “The fact that my younger son had to be on his knees begging for his older brother’s life, that’s what’s breaking me." 

The group are said to have made off with the phone after a bus driver chased them away. 

Police have described the suspects as boys aged between 14 and 15-years-old, one of them white with freckles and acne and the other five as black, dressed in school uniform.

The dad said he is "absolutely enraged" after his kids ran home with one saying: "they’ve put a knife on me daddy, I was scared they were going to kill me". 

He said: "Every kid I see in the street, it just goes to your head and I think ‘is that the kid?’ 

"Immediately as an adult going out and trying to live your life, you all of a sudden look as children, 14-year-old boys, as kids with knives.

“In what reality do you think in a first world country would you have to have your kids walking home together in a pack in case they get stabbed?

“I really want the parents of those children to have the same anxiety and fear that me and my wife have for the safety of our children."

READ MORE: Newsagents badly damaged in mystery fire

His wife said that the family have now had to adapt after their boys continue to be affected by the incident. 

She said: "It took a big toll on them. They can’t sleep properly, they’re scared going back from school. Going to school they’re very scared.

"It was really disruptive to our lives and to me and my husband as well. Those six boys destroyed our lives completely.

“I don’t know for how long we’re going to have to find alternative routes to school, the boys are going to have to meet up with their friends.”

The Post approached the Metropolitan Police for their comment on the incident. 

Det Sgt Sarah Osborne, leading the investigation, said: “This was a very upsetting and scary incident for the boys involved and I am pleased that, thankfully, nobody was physically hurt.

"We recognise that locals will be understandably concerned about what happened and I would like to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously and are working hard to trace the suspects.

“Our children should be able to walk home safely and we will do all we can to solve this crime."

The police have confirmed they are following up on a number of leads and that enquiries are ongoing. 

Anyone with information that could help the investigation should call police on 101, quoting CAD 6720/7MAR, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.