THE group of friends who were subjected to a vicious armed robbery leading to Tim Smith’s death were deliberately targeted by a pair of men who “knew what they were after”, according to a police chief.

Chief Insp Glen Westley, district commander for Castle Point and Rochford, has sought to reassure residents living in and around Hullbridge that they are not at risk of further attacks.

He said that Sunday’s incident was not a random street robbery, urging neighbours not be concerned that it could happen to them.

Mr Westley spoke to the Echo to ask residents to be “alert but not alarmed.” He said that officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area as much as possible.

He said: “The circumstances of the job are that these people clearly knew what was in the house - a certain amount of money.

“They knew why they were there, there was stuff inside the house that they wanted. This wasn’t random.

“These people picked that house and that group of people for a reason, that is the information that we have got.

“This was not a street mugging, they were not out waiting for people to return from the pub to mug them.

“From what the witnesses have said about what happened in the house and the questions that the men asked, they knew what they came for and they left with it.”

During the incident, Tim Smith, his wife and another couple were forced into the house in The Drive, Hullbridge.

It is understood that Mr Smith was dragged inside unconscious after he was hit and fell onto a wall, smashing his head.

Inside, the robbers made demands and an undisclosed amount of cash was handed over.

Mr Westley added: “The chances of these guys coming back is very remote.

“This isn’t a gang roaming around Hullbridge.

“Be alert but not alarmed.

“If anyone has any concerns, or information that could help with our investigation, I would encourage them to speak to our officers.”

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information in relation to the murder investigation to contact 101 or email scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk.

They can also contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org