ROBBERS threatened to stab a teenager girl before snatching her handbag in a vicious street robbery.

Southend detectives are appealing for two teenage boys who may have witnessed the robbery in Crescent Road, Leigh to come forward.

The attack happened as the girl was walking home following an evening with friends at Marine Parade.

She was followed along Crescent Road by a man who then threatened to stab her before grabbing her pink satchel and running off towards Dale Road.

The brave teen then called her mum, who came out and drove her round the local area to look for the attacker.

They came across two teenage boys sitting on a bench on Marine Parade who stated that they had seen the man run off.

Investigating Officer, Dc Alex Brooks, said: "During the past three weeks we have been trying our best to identify these two boys, but without luck which is why we’re now turning to the media to help us get in touch with them.

“The girl and her mother originally thought that these two were involved in the robbery, but they soon realised that they weren’t and are actually our best witnesses.

“They told the mother that they had thought the man was with them and hadn’t realised he was robbing the girl.

“We need to speak to them so would urge them to contact us.”

The robbery happend at around 9.30pm on Monday, July 8.

The attacker was white, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, of average build and just under six feet tall.

He spoke with an Essex accent.

He had light-brown, short hair and at the time was wearing a navy hoodie and navy trousers.

The stolen pink satchel and its contents were later found by a dog-walker in the mud off Two-Tree Island.

The two teenage boys or anyone with information in connection with this street robbery is urged to contact detectives at Southend police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.