Shoppers watched in horror as a man pulled out a knife in a Canvey supermarket after staff tried to detain him on suspicion of shoplifting.

The man threatened two members of staff at the Morrisons supermarket, in Northwick Road, and started smashing bottles during the incident yesterday afternoon.

The knifeman then ran out of the store and got into a green car, believed to be a Citroen, where he was seen with a man and a woman.

Police were continuing to search for the man last night following the terrifying incident at 1.40pm.

One woman, who was shopping in the store at the time, said: “Morrisons has just been targeted with a man stealing drinks.

“They caught him, but he pulled a knife out and smashed the bottles.”

Another woman added: “It kicked off right in front of me.

It left me feeling shaken, so I don’t know how the two staff who he tried to slash feel.

“It’s getting to be a joke around here.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were contacted just before 1.10pm yesterday with reports of a man stealing alcohol from Morrisons, in Northwick Road, Canvey.

“It was also reported that the man was in possession of a small knife.

“He made off from the store with another man and a woman in a green vehicle.

“The suspect was white, aged in his fifties with thinning grey hair.

“He was about 5ft7ins tall and was wearing combat trousers and a black top.

“The second man was over six foot tall, aged in his thirties or forties, wearing a black bomber jacket and khaki combat trousers.

“The woman was slim with blonde hair, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins tall and aged about 40.

“She was wearing light skinny jeans and a black top.

“Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101.”

No arrests have been made.

Morrisons refused to comment on the matter.