A HIGH street robbery left two men injured in the early hours of the morning.

A large cordon was in place in Billericay High Street yesterday, after the incident at roughly 1.30am.

Police descended on the area after being called by the ambulance service, when medics reported two men had been injured during a robbery.

One man was taken to hospital, and police are urgently appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A large cordon was in place throughout yesterday close to the Prezzo Italian restaurant.

A 23-year-old from London has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Kevin Blake, deputy leader of Basildon Council, sent his well wishes to the victim.

The councillor, representing the Burstead ward, said: “We do not want this sort of thing going on anywhere and I think the fact it happened in Billericay is more shocking.

“It is bad to hear of these things happening anywhere in Basildon and it’s certainly not something you expect to happening in Billericay.

“My thoughts are with the men who were hurt and I hope they are doing OK. It seems to me that this is a one off incident and that is what’s important.

“It’s also important that police get to the bottom of it. I think people should be vigilant and report anything that they see or witness.”

The deputy council leader added: “I do not think it will make people concerned or worried. It’s not something that’s repeated and I am sure it sounds like a one-off.

“I hope police catch who did this and they are brought to justice.

“We cannot have people going around doing things like this in our towns or anywhere in the country.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called to High Street, Billericay, just before 1.30am yesterday following notification from ambulance colleagues of an injured person following a robbery.

“Two men, both 30s, sustained injuries and one was taken to hospital. A 23-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in custody for questioning”