DETECTIVES have appealed for witnesses after a man and his wife were assaulted and robbed of their Chinese takeaway meal as they walked home in Southend.

The couple were in an alleyway between Guildford Road and Prittlewell Street at about 9.30pm on Monday October 19 when two men stopped them and demanded money.

They ordered the husband to hand over his wallet but when he refused he was punched and kicked to the ground. His wife was also assaulted but was able to shout for help.

The attackers then grabbed a bag containing the takeway food and fled.

The couple, both aged in their 40s and from the local area, were badly shaken but did not need medical treatment.

DC Richard Siggers said: "The couple had just bought a takeaway of four dishes and costing £13.90. The thieves initially demanded cash but when the husband resisted he was assaulted. The thieves then grabbed the bag of food and fled.

"We want to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information about the robbers. We are especially keen to trace a couple in their 60s who were walking a white dog and passed the victims shortly before the robbery. They might have important information about the two men involved.”

The attackers were both in their early 20s, one was about 6ft and the other about 5ft 5in. Both were of slim build.

The taller man was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, black trainers and had a black scarf pulled over his face. The other man was wearing black trainers with white soles, blue jeans and a blacked hooded top.

Anyone with information should contact DS Dave Browning or his colleagues at Rayleigh CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.