A BRAVE father fought off a robber who threatened him with a knife in an underpass.

Andrew Bourne, 41, was on his way to pick up his children from school when he was approached by a thug in the underpass between Top Ashlings and Bottom Ashlings, in Northlands Park, Pitsea.

Mr Bourne, of Rochester Way, Pitsea, punched the robber in the head and he fled.

The former security guard said: “I am shaken when I think about it now. I think what if things had gone another way?”

The attack happened between 2.30pm and 2.40pm, on Friday, as Mr Bourne walked to collect his children.

He said: “As I walked in to the underpass I saw two men standing at the entrance.

“The next thing, one of them followed me in, tapped me on the shoulder and asked me for the time.

“I took out my Sony Xperia phone and the man pulled out a flick knife and asked me to hand over my phone and money.

“I took a step back and said, ‘no way mate’. Then I hit him in the left temple and he fell back against the wall of the subway and ran off.”

Mr Bourne was left shaken by the attack, but unharmed.

He added: “It’s worrying because it is usually my wife who goes to pick the children up.

“I worry about what would have happened if this robber had attacked her or another woman.”

Detectives are now appealing for information about the attempted robbery.

The suspect is described as white, about 6ft 2ins tall and was wearing a black bomber jacket, blue jeans and white trainers with black ticks on them.

He spoke with a Eastern European accent.

Officers on the ground and the police helicopter searched for the robber, but he has not been found and inquiries are continuing.

The flick knife had a twoinch blade and a mahogany handle.

Anyone with any information, is asked to contact Det Con Andrew Rowley at Basildon CID, on 101.

People can also give information to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via an anonymous online form at