A MAN was left needing hospital treatment after being targeted by robbers near the seafront.

The victim, a man in his 30s, was walking down Lucy Road, Southend, at about 4.30am on Saturday morning, when he was approached by three men who then attacked him.

The thugs stole some of his personal possessions from him before running off in the direction of Pier Hill.

At the same time, PC Daryl Jones, a member of the Southend Local Policing Team, was monitoring suspicious activity on the council’s extensive CCTV network which was used to track down the suspects.

PC Jones said on Twitter: “Right place, right time for me and PC Woodcraft in the early hours in Southend.

“Using our work mobiles we saw Southend CCTV team monitoring some suspicious males in the Seaway car park.

“We began heading into the car park and then on the CCTV we could see someone getting robbed.”

He went onto say that, when they arrived at the scene, three suspects were arrested after a short foot chase.

A police spokesman said: “We have arrested three men in connection with a robbery in Southend on Saturday, January 19.

“A 22-year-old man from London, a 20-year-old man from Romford and a 20-year-old man from Ilford have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remain in police custody for questioning. 

“The victim was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries. 

“Witnesses of anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Andrew Coles at Southend CID on 101, quoting reference 42/9201/18.

“Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.”