FOUR teenagers have been arrested after a man was robbed at knifepoint in a park.
The man, aged 32, was assaulted by a group of four people in Southend, who were carrying a knife, and had his bike stolen in the attack.
Later, three 16 year olds and a 15 year old were arrested.
The attack, which took place at approximately 3pm on Sunday, at the Jones Park Memorial Ground, has been described as “incredibly concerning” by Daniel Cowan, councillor for St Lawrence ward.
Mr Cowan, told the Echo: “My thoughts go out to the victim.
“I hope he’s alright and is getting the support he needs.
“It’s not acceptable.
“We need to engage more with young people to steer them away from crime.
“They need telling that carrying a knife isn’t the answer.
“There should be no situation in which they should be carrying knives.
“We need to focus on accessible and organised activities, which we lost through austerity.
“Youth groups engage with young people and get teenagers off the streets.
“We need affordable activities that are easily accessible across the town.
“I know the police are working hard to crack down on knife crime.
“We need a firm criminal justice response.”
A spokeswoman from Essex Police, said: “A 16 year-old boy from Rochford was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Two 16 year-old boys from Southend were arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of class B or C drugs.
“A 15 year-old boy from Southend was arrested on suspicion of robbery. All four are currently in custody.”
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