Police have arrested a man in connection with an armed robbery in Southend yesterday.

Yesterday the Echo reported how a young woman was robbed at gun point in Priory Park, Southend, yesterday afternoon.

Essex Police has now confirmed they believe a second robbery earlier in the day was linked to this incident.

Officers were called at around 2pm with reports a cyclist had been knocked off his bike by two people on a moped and robbed of his headphones and bag in Manchester Drive.

They suspects rode off and police received a second call shortly afterwards from two teenagers reporting they had been threatened by two people on a moped in Priory Crescent near to Priory Park and the Saxon King pub.

They reported they were threatened with a gun and were left shaken but unharmed by the incident.

Officers searched the area initially without success before receiving information at around 4.50pm that the bike was in Pantile Avenue.

The police helicopter was launched in a bid to trace the suspects.

The rider rode off at speed, travelling through alleyways and the wrong way along roads before decamping in Royal Artillery Way. He was arrested after a short chase.

The 20-year-old remains in custody on suspicion of robbery, possession of firearms with intent and possession of firearms offences.

Anyone with information is asked to call Southend CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/91600/19 (Manchester Drive) and 42/91656/18 (Priory Crescent).

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.