A MAN was forced to hand over wads of cash after robbers threatened him with a bread knife at a cash point.

The man in his thirties, who is from Basildon, was withdrawing money from a cash point at a parade of shops in Ballards Walk, Laindon, when he was approached by three men wearing hooded tops.

One of the men brandished a knife and told him to input his PIN number.

The robbers then took an unknown amount of cash from the machine before fleeing the scene.

After the terrified victim raised the alarm, the force helicopter was scrambled to search for the gang of thugs but there was no trace.

Det Insp Jasmine Frost, from the criminal investigation department, urged people to be cautious when using cash points.

She said: “The victim said that he was at the shops when three men approached him with a knife.

“They told him to enter his PIN number and they took his money, although he is not sure exactly how much was taken.The knife was described as a bread knife with a point and a flat blade.”

She urged people to be cautious when using cash points in the future, especially after this latest robbery.

She said: “Anybody using a cash point should always be aware of their surroundings prior to approaching it.

“Always make sure that when you are using the machine that there is nobody close enough to see you enter your PIN number.”

The first suspect is described as black, around 6ft 1in, of stocky build, and wearing a grey hoodie pulled round his face.

The second suspect is described as white, short, of slim build and with facial hair.

The third suspect is described as white, tall, of slim build, and wearing a black tracksuit.

So far, no arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Ballards Walk at around 11.10pm on Tuesday, September 27.

“The victim, a man in his thirties, had been approached by three men at the rear of a shop.

“They threatened him with a knife and he handed over his bank card and PIN number. It is believed they then withdrew money from his bank account.”

If anyone has any information regarding this incident they are asked to contact Det Con Iain White at Southend Police Station on 101.

Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.