A WOMAN in her 60s was “jumped from behind and punched” by two men during a terrifying attack in Westcliff.

The victim, 63, told the Echo she was walking home from her daughter’s when she was attacked at the junction of Westborough Road and West Road.

She claims she was punched several times before the crooks attempted to mug her at roughly 7pm on Sunday evening.

Her daughter, who asked not to be named, said the incident has left her mum “shaken”, “scared”, and worried about going out at night.

She said: “My mum was walking home from mine, and two blokes came up from behind.

“Firstly, they whacked her in the back and both arms. One of them was shouting something about another woman called Natasha or Natalie and demanded my mum’s phone.

“She didn’t get this out of pocket.

“They then punched her in the stomach before running and leaving the scene.”

The incident comes a week after a woman was punched and robbed in Southend High Street and an Essex Police survey revealed that “50 per cent of people in Southend said they felt unsafe walking alone in the streets at night.”

Chief Insp Jo Collins highlighted the figures as she claimed crime is down by by 6.7 per cent in the 12 months to the end of June 2023 in Southend.

The family have reported Sunday night’s incident to Essex Police but the victim is now worried about going out and about at night.

Her daughter added: “My mum has got bruising where she was punched, and she is obviously in shock.

“I am really upset about it. I almost feel like turning detective myself and going to find CCTV and evidence.

“She is so shaken, and it has made her wary of walking home after dark now too.”

Essex Police has been contacted for comment by the Echo but were unable to find the incident on their system. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.