Girl, 14, mugged by thug at Laindon Station

The youngster, believed to be 14, was approached by a man on a bike at Laindon Station on Thursday afternoon.

Family, who soon took to social media to warn others of the teenager’s experience, fear the thug had watched her as she got money out of a nearby cash machine before following her up the station steps.

The masked man, who wore a black face covering, then rode past her on a dark-coloured mountain bike and snatched her bag away from her, stealing it along with the money she had inside.

Thankfully, the youngster escaped unhurt, but family say she was left “very shaken” after the incident.

Essex Police say the bag was later found, but the cash had been taken.

Slamming the crook, Basildon mayor David Burton-Sampson, said: “It must’ve been absolutely traumatic for her to go through, it really is terrible. Something like that would happen at all, let alone in daylight.

David Burton-Sampson

“This is a lesson to all. We all need to be as careful as we can when using cash machines – people do prey on others when they’re using them. Please be observant of those around you and who may be watching.

“That being said it’s appalling anyone would target a young girl like this, it’s such a concern to hear. I can only hope this was an isolated incident.

“My thoughts are with the young girl who has been targeted, I hope she’s okay and is doing as best she can given the situation.”

Read more:

• Step inside stunning seafront beach hut being sold for £70,000
• Dad threatened to 'smash up' car with baseball bat in row over parking
• Thug who imprisoned and attacked his dad banned from contacting him for five years

David Harrison, chairman of the neighbourhoods and public spaces committee, fears the mugging would’ve had a big impact on anyone, let alone a teenage girl.

He added: “This is such a terrible thing to happen to anyone, it is really very sad.

“You’d have thought there must’ve been quite a few people around, at a station on a Thursday afternoon.

“If there were any cars with dash cameras who were perhaps picking anyone up this may help. It’s so important even the smallest of information is passed to the police.”

A spokesperson from Essex Police, said: “The person on the bike has been described as a young man or boy, wearing a dark hooded-top and riding a dark coloured bike.

“If you have information, please call 101 and quote the crime reference number 42/52348/21.”