A MAN was robbed at knifepoint by a gang of four who jumped out from behind a shop.

The victim was walking along Beach Road, on Canvey, in the early hours of the morning when he was stopped by the group, who had been hiding.

They held what is believed to be a knife up to him and stole cash. Police have refused to reveal how much money was taken.

Luckily the victim was uninjured in the incident.

Indepedent councillor for the islands South ward, Barry Palmer, has called on residents to be wary when using cash machines after dark.

He said: “It is dreadful.

“It sounds like it is premeditated.

“Beech Road is a residential road but there is a cash machine at the end of it, so I wonder if they were waiting there and followed him.

“They might have been watching for someone.

“Robberies aren’t common as such on Canvey.

“There was a spate of robberies a little while ago but they usually targeted youngsters for their phones and it was people on bikes.

“This is terrible.”

No descriptions of the suspects have been released by police.

Mr Palmer added: “My wife and I were at the Castle Point Show on Sunday and we filled in a questionnaire and said that we felt safe walking around and at night as well.

“I hope this doesn’t scare people and make them worried.

“There isn’t much you can do apart from keep an eye over your shoulder when you are using a cash machine.”

The robbery took place at around 2am on Saturday - when the streetlights would have been switched off. Mr Palmer believes this could have been a factor in the crime.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police are investigating a report of an armed robbery in Beach Road, Canvey.

“A man was stopped by four men who were hiding behind a shop shortly before 2am on Saturday, July 8.

“They stole cash and held what is believed to be a knife to the victim.

“They fled the scene on foot.

“The man was not injured.

“Investigations are continuing.”

This is not the first time there has been a robbery involving a knife on Canvey.

In May, a man was walking home through Kismet Park after having drinks with friends when a man with a knife attempted to rob him.

He was left with a slash wound in his back following the altercation.

Police are appealing for information following the latest incident on island.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southend CID on 101, or indepedent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.