A TEENAGER was robbed on a Southend-bound train after being threatened with a knife.

The 16-year-old was sitting with his girlfriend as the train approached Prittlewell station when the blade was pulled on him.

The terrified victim, who is from Rayleigh, handed over his Blackberry mobile phone.

Detectives have revealed that prior to this incident the a suspect had coonfronted an elderly man, who hid in a carriage toilet.

It happened at about 12.20am on Tuesday January 8 before the suspect got off the train at  Southend Victoria station with a silver pushbike.

As he went through the gates he made verbal threats to station staff.

British Transport Police have reviewed CCTV and believed the man boarded the train at Hockley.

They are now appealing for witnesses.

The suspect has been described as a white man, in his late teens, tall and of skinny build. He had light coloured hair with zig zags shaved at the back of his head. He wore a hooded top, dark jeans and white trainers. He also wore a yellow coloured scarf .

Police have decided not to issue CCTV at this stage in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting background reference B12/LNA of 08/01/2013. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.