TWO would be robbers threatened a shopkeeper at knifepoint in front of police officers.

The pair are now in custody after being arrested by officers who were already in the Happy Shopper in Jesmond Road, Grays, at around 9.50pm on Saturday, January 5, following reports of a theft in the store about half-an-hour earlier at 9.20pm.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “While officers were inside the shop two men entered and threatened a staff member with a knife and demanded money.”

A 19-year-old man from Grays was arrested at the scene while the other, aged 21, from Dagenham, was arrested in nearby Springfield Road following a search.

Both remain in custody.