A LEADING businessman has said Southend is “almost out of control” after one of his team members was robbed at knifepoint.

The teenager was robbed of hundreds of pounds after he was targeted by two armed thugs on his way to work.

It is the latest in a spate of knife-point muggings blighting the borough.

The victim, a 19-year-old worker from Adventure Island, in Southend, was approached by two men near the roundabout near the Seaway car park at 11.10am on February 7.

After asking him if he had any drugs, one of the men threatened him.

In a message shared by Adventure Island owner Philip Miller, the teenager said the two men blocked his path before demanding his phone and bank cards.

The teen claimed the men threatened to “mess him up” if he didn’t and suggested they had a knife.

They left with his iPhone 6 and bank card and walked off towards Woodgrange Drive before withdrawing hundreds of pounds using the card.

The incident left the teen uninjured but extremely shaken.

One of the suspects was described as white, aged 20 to 22 and of stocky build. He was about 5ft 10in tall, clean shaven and had ginger hair. He wore a dark coloured woolly hat and spoke with an Irish accent.

The second suspect is described as white, aged 20 to 22 and slim. He was about 6ft tall and had a large cold sore. 

He wore a blue hooded raincoat. This is the second incident in about a week 
Adventure Island boss, Philip Miller tweeted about the incident.

He tweeted: “This is what happened to one of my team. Southend is becoming almost out of control.

“I don’t blame the police they are brilliant. It just leaves the politicos to take the wrap.

“Perhaps it would be better if the police commissioner was not tied to any political party I ask?”

Essex Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, which they have said could be linked to a number of other incidents in the area, and they are appealing for witnesses.

Witnesses are asked to call DC Shelley Utley in Southend CID on 101 quoting reference 42/20366/19.

Anyone with information can also report online at www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online.