A THUG wearing a ski mask threatened a 13-year-old with a knife during a robbery.

The victim was cycling along Laindon Link, close the the recreation ground, at 10.50am on Sunday when he was stopped by an “older teenager.”

The robber showed the boy he had a knife tucked into his waistband and demanded to know “what was in his pockets”.

The victim handed over his Apple AirPod headphones and fled the area.

The suspect was described as white, aged 17 or 18, and had dark green eyes. He wore a black ski mask, a black tracksuit and black Nike trainers.

The victim cycled away and the suspect was seen walking towards Basildon town centre.

Kerry Smith, Independent deputy leader of Basildon Council said: “This is just disgusting and anyone with any information must report it to Crimestoppers as soon as possible.

“This is just not the sort of thing we want going on anywhere in the borough.

“This incident would have been pretty scary for this young boy and would have been if it happened to anyone.

“This is another reason why we need the Youth Zone the council is working on.

“Hopefully this is just a one off and I dare say drugs may be involved. Anyone who knows this perpetrator must come forward as we want to bring this person to justice.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We’d like to hear from anyone who saw what happened or was in the area at the time and saw a suspect matching the description we’ve been given.

Contact DC Natalie Backhouse at Basildon CID on 101 quoting reference 42/169610/20.

“You can also report online at https://www.essex.

police.uk Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org.”