A MASKED raider stole £100 from a terrified cashier in what is thought to be his sixth knifepoint hold-up in a month.

Police are stepping up patrols after a string of raids at newsagents across Basildon and Laindon.

In the latest incident, at Costcutter, in Osier Drive, Laindon, on Tuesday, the bandit threatened a shop assistant with a knife before stealing £100 from the till.

Shopkeeper Mukesh Patel said: “My wife was on the till and this chap came in and asked for Rizla cigarette papers.

“As she was taking payment, he leant over and grabbed the till lid and showed her the knife.

“He took the notes and asked her to put the change in a carrier bag, then ran away.

“She was left a little shaken but, thankfully, was not hurt.

“We have been here for about six years and nothing like this has happened before.

“These robberies have left us concerned.

“We work from morning until evening to make a living – you do not want this type of thing to happen.

“I just really hope the police catch this man soon.” Police are investigating whether the robbery is linked with five committed at Martin’s newsagents in Basildon and Laindon over the past month.

The raider is described as white, aged about 25, 5ft 4ins tall and of medium build. He speaks with a local accent. On Tuesday, the robber wore a grey hooded tracksuit top, grey tracksuit bottoms, with a scarf partially covering his face.

Det Con Nick May, of Basildon CID, is investigating the robberies.

He said: “We understand there is concern about these robberies and we have an investigation ongoing.

“We have stepped up patrols in areas where robberies have taken place to try to reassure shopkeepers and the public.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101.