Detectives in Southend are investigating after a woman was threatened with a knife and had her car stolen.

The incident was reported to police just after midnight this morning (Monday, July 14). The victim, a 21-year-old woman who lives in Westcliff, parked her car at the junction of Wimborne Road and Sutton Road in Southend, and got out to use the Post Office cashpoint.

She was with her boyfriend who had hold of the keys to the dark blue BMW 1 series.

The victim saw two men sitting on some steps near the cashpoint. They grabbed her and threatened her with a knife.

She pulled free and ran with her boyfriend towards the nearby train station. When they stopped they realised the keys had been dropped.

PC Tom Caton, of Southend CID, said: "We believe the incident happened just before midnight. When the victim returned back to the car it had been taken. The two men are described as black and aged between 16 and 20. One was wearing a baseball cap and the other was wearing an Adidas tracksuit.

"I would ask any witnesses to the incident to contact me. I would also like to speak to anyone who knows where the vehicle is. It is a dark blue BMW Series 1 with tinted windows.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Tom Caton at Southend CID on Essex Police 101. People can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.