SCHOOL children have been urged not to travel home on their own after a 14-year-old pupil was threatened with a knife in an attempted robbery.

The King John School, in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley, has written to parents after the pupil was confronted by the thug in the Carlton Drive area at 3pm Tuesday.

The thug pulled out a “small knife” and threatened the boy, demanding he handed over his bike.

The boy managed to flee but now Daniel Steel, headteacher at the school, has issued an urgent warning to parents for pupils to “stay vigilant” and “travel home with friends”.

The letter, seen by the Echo, said: “We would like to alert you to an incident which took place this evening to one of our students who was on their way home from school.

“The police have informed us that our student was threatened with a knife by a man from the community, not known to the school, to give over his bike.

“He was lucky enough to get away and call 999 and is safe.

“Can we please ask you to ensure your child takes necessary precautions and stay vigilant.

“If they can travel home with friends, that would be safest.”

It comes after a spate of bike thefts and attempted bike thefts across south Essex with youngsters threatened by yobs - often with weapons.

St James’ ward councillor, Bill Sharp, warned the issue needs to be addressed urgently.

He said: “I think all these issues with knife crime and robberies and mugging are alarming and frightening.

“It needs to be addressed and it needs to be addressed speedily so children, adults and the elderly are not fearful anymore and can feel safe in our streets.”

The latest incident comes after Essex Police launched an investigation into reports of a robbery in Belfairs Woods, Leigh, on March 4, where a bike and mobile phone were stolen.

Cabinet member for community safety, Martin Terry said: “I think in general, thefts are an issue.

“I’m aware that some people have been threatened with mobile phones and bicycles.

“All I can say is we’re clamping down as much as possible and Essex Police are putting up knife arches.

“I would encourage anyone to stop carrying knives.”

Anyone with information on the attempted robbery is being asked to call 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/46272/21.