ARMED robbers are targeting commuters at train stations across the Southend borough.

A student was forced to flee robbers by running across train tracks after he was threatened on a train platform.

It is one of a number of incidents leaving commuters worried for their safety.

The 23-year-old feared the two teenagers had a knife as they demanded he hand over his wallet while he made his way to Southend East station on Monday evening.

The Masters student, who studies in London, said: “It was quite dark when two boys approached me and asked if I wanted to buy some weed or something.

“I said no and carried on walking but they continued to talk to me and were getting confrontational when I ignored them.

“I turned round and said I wasn’t interested again and that’s when he asked me if I had any money for him.

“I told him I didn’t and he said he could see my wallet in my pocket and told me to hand it over.”

By this point, the man had made his way into the station and was on the platform where the two thugs continued to harass him.

He added: “One of them put his hand in his pocket and I really thought he could have a knife which he was getting ready to pull out and use.

“I told him to calm down and relax but he just continued to get more confrontational. I was also worried he might take my laptop which has all my work for my Masters on there so I really didn’t want him to take it.

“They both continued to get really aggressive and I thought it was getting bad so I ended up running across the tracks to the other platform to get away.

“I was scared they were going to come across or that they had got on the train I was on but I think they just disappeared.”

The student was helped by c2c staff at the station who took his details and it has since been reported to the police.

The incident is the second in the vicinity of Southend East station and the student wanted to make people aware of the risks in the area.

He added: “It did leave me a little shaken but I was just grateful I wasn’t hurt and nothing was taken.

“It’s very dark round there and there is never much of a police presence so it seems like a bit of a free for all.”

His father, who has lived in the area for 20 years echoed his concern after a woman was robbed by two men, one armed with a hammer, on the footbridge last week.

The 55-year-old added: “I’ve never known it to be this bad and people should be warned. My son was terrified they had a knife and put his own life at risk by crossing the tracks to get away from them. Something needs to be done.” The two muggers were described as aged about 17 or 18 and it is believed one was white while the other was Asian. Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.