A 28-year-old man accused of stealing a man's penis through sorcery has been beaten to death in the West African country of Gambia.

Belief in sorcery is widespread in West Africa and reports of penis snatching are not uncommon in the region.

Seven alleged penis snatchers were beaten to death by angry mobs in Ghana in 1997.

Victims claim the sorcerers simply touch them to make their genitals shrink or disappear, in order to extort cash in the promise of a cure.

Police say they have urged people not to believe reports of vanishing genitals but note many men in the area are now afraid to shake hands.