A TEENAGER was chased by two men carrying a metal pole and a stick after he refused to hand over his phone.

The 17-year-old man was chased by the men from the former library on Victoria Avenue between about 9.30pm and 9.45pm on Wednesday after being asked for the time by a woman who was walking alone.

She stopped and asked whether he had the time, to which he replied no, and walked off.

Two men then shouted behind him, one holding a metal pole and the other a wooden stick.

They demanded he handed over his phone and the woman tried to grab his wrist but he was able to run away.

The victim said they chased him but, as he neared the Odeon, had gone.

The woman is described as about 20 years old, with dark skin, six feet tall, of thin build and with chin length, wavy, dark red hair shaved on one side. She wore all black clothing with a hooded top and had an African accent.

Both men were black, about 20 years old, with African accents. One was about six feet tall, of big build, wearing black clothing with a black beanie hat and his hood up. The other was shorter and his hair was shaved at the sides.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed any of this incident or has any information is asked to contact PC Kirsty Morgan at Southend CID on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.