A MOTHER has spoken of the frightening moment her teenage daughter was threatened by a thug who said she would be stabbed “one hundred times”.

The mum, who has asked to remain anonymous, said she has been left angered and frustrated and her daughter scared.

She now feels unable to let her daughter visit central Southend.

She said: “My daughter went to Frankie & Benny’s with two of her friends to celebrate one of the girl’s birthdays.

“Afterwards, they went to the bus stop in Chichester Road to come home.

“This was when two girls - both aged about 16-years-old - came around the corner and started pushing one of them and being horrible to them.

“They left and came back with an older boy who was about 18 or 19. He had a black bandana over his face and a hood up.

“That’s when they started asking them if they had cigarettes or money.

“One of them tried to grab my daughter’s bag and then ripped the necklace from her neck and threw it on the floor.

“One girl then said ‘you’re lucky I haven’t got my knife with me or I would stab you one hundred times’.

“She was so scared and shaken up by it. Once the bus came they were able to get away.

“They were staying at a friend’s house for the birthday so they went back there and it was reported to the police.”

The mother, who lives in Rochford, has said that the incident, which happened at about 6pm on Saturday June 16, has left them fearful to let their daughter go out alone.

She added: “I think it speaks to the state of Southend town centre at the moment. It is not safe to let your children go into town at any time. They just wanted to go for a meal to celebrate and this happened to them - in broad daylight.

“I am absolutely fuming people they think they can do that and get away with it. Who do they think they are?

“It was still daylight so they clearly just don’t care.

“Other parents have said the same thing to me about not letting their children go into Southend. It is just not safe anymore.”

Essex Police confirmed they are investigating and appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesman added: “If you have any information about the incident please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/85354/18”

Alternatively, you can share information with independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org