POLICE are carrying out a week-long operation aimed at “bringing Hullbridge back to normality” after a gunpoint robbery resulted in a man’s death.

Timothy Smith suffered a fatal head injury when he was pushed to the ground by two masked thugs outside a house in The Drive, Hullbridge, on Sunday evening.

The 57-year-old, who owned building suppliers Doors, Floors and Stairparts, in London Road, Pitsea, was knocked unconscious after hitting his head on a low wall on the driveway as he grappled with the raiders.

He was then dragged inside the house where the callous thieves, one of whom had a gun, demanded cash from the rest of the group, before making off.

Mr Smith was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for treatment where he died on Monday after doctors fought to save his life.

In the aftermath of the attack, police are seeking to reassure residents in the Hullbridge community, who have been left in shock by the vicious attack.

Sgt Mark McQuade, from the Castle Point and Rochford community policing team, said that an engagement initiative, codenamed Operation Pilgrim 2, has been launched and is expected to last for the next week.

More officers will be patrolling and active citizens will be stationed in supermarkets and post offices to offer advice.

Mr McQuade said: “The community policing team will be focusing on the area of Hullbridge and Hockley to help make people feel a bit safer.

“There is no trend of this at all - it is an isolated incident. It’s really to bring the community back to some sort of normality.

“We will be setting up beat surgeries in supermarkets and post offices and will be as visible as possible.”