A WOMAN has described the terrifying moment a gang of moped riders drove at her and stole her phone.

Police are appealing for information following four similar robberies in Benfleet and Leigh where thugs have used mopeds to carry out the crime.

Officers received reports between 9.35pm and 10.20pm that three suspects on two mopeds mounted pavements before grabbing items from victims, including handbags and expensive phones.

Dianna Abu Arab, from Leigh, was targeted by the thieves.

The 21-year-old said: “I didn’t think this would happen in Leigh as it is a safe area. I was walking home from a restaurant at about 10pm.

“It is about a five-minute walk from the restaurant to my house. Two mopeds or motorbikes were driving fast on the pavement where I was walking.

“They came really close to me. One of the men grabbed my handbag and it ripped and was on the floor.

“I screamed very loud and people were watching but no one helped.

“They then went off and one of the men was laughing. It was terrifying and I now don’t want to walk about the streets.

“This happened so early, I have walked home from the restaurant much later. I don’t know if this happened to me because I was on my own, but that is not an excuse. This shouldn’t be happening at all.

“I hope they get caught.”

Three of these incidents took place in London Road, Leigh, and one in London Road, Benfleet.

In another incident a man was punched by the suspects who tried grabbing his headphones.

Officers have also received reports that the mopeds involved were being ridden dangerously in London Road, Southend, before the incidents.

The mopeds are reported to be black and all three suspects wore dark helmets.

One of the suspects was wearing a grey tracksuit and another wore a dark tracksuit.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to call Southend CID on 101 or online by visiting www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online.