A SCHOOLBOY has been suffering horrific nightmares since having a knife pressed against his throat by a thug in Southend town centre.

The 15-year-old keeps reliving how he and his friends were threatened at the bottom of the High Street by a gang of robbers.

He was left petrified because they vowed to “shank” him if the boys didn’t hand over their mobile phones.

They were so brazen they struck in Royal Terrace in the early evening. His mum, who asked not to be named, said: “He’s had nightmares every night. He didn’t sleep the first two nights afterwards. It’s just scary and I think the reality of it finally set in.

“His friend has also been having nightmares thinking what if they'd stabbed him.

“He said the knife was right by his throat. He was worried if they pushed it into him he wouldn’t know what to do.”

She wants to warn youngsters to be careful in the area in order to prevent one of them becoming the next victim.

The group was overheard saying they weren’t going back to London empty-handed and had a large, serated knife.

She added: “I don't think this is a one-off incident. I think the police know these people are coming down from London.”

Police are looking for four black men aged 16 to 20. One was wearing a black zip-up hooded top, and black tracksuit bottoms. Another had a red bandana with white lines making a dragon pattern, a black waterproof jacket and jeans.

A third had a black balaclava, a black jacket and tracksuit bottoms. All three were slim.

The final suspect was stockier and wore blue or black nylon tracksuit bottoms. They struck at about 6pm last Saturday.

Anyone with information should call Southend police on 0300 3334444.