Two women were robbed at knife point in broad daylight.

A 49-year old woman and a 50-year-old woman were on Southchurch Road around 11.30am yesterday, October 21, when a man approached the women and threatened them with a knife.

He demanded they handed over their bags, one a tan leather handbag and one a black Michael Kors branded handbag.

He then ran off in the direction of Stromness Place.

The suspect is described by the victims as being white, around 6ft 2ins tall and in his early 20s. He was wearing a grey hooded top, which was pulled up over his head, jeans and a blue scarf around his face.

The victims were left shaken but unhurt.

Witnesses, anyone with information or anyone who saw a man matching this description in the area at the time is asked to contact Southend CID on 101 quoting incident 486 of October 21. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.