A MAN was threatened with a knife during a terrifying robbery in Riverside Retail Park.

The attack is one of two the police have had reported to them in recent days but officers are appealing for information after being told other, similar robberies in the area had gone unreported.

One attack happened on Bunny Walk at the side of the Riverside Retail Park at 6:30am on Tuesday, June 24.

A 19-year-old local man had been walking along the bridge when he was accosted by a group of people who threatened him with a knife, punched him and then stole his mobile telephone.

Police recovered a knife at the scene and later arrested three local boys aged 14, 16 and 17, before releasing them on police bail until Friday, August 8 pending further enquiries.

Police are also investigating an incident on nearby Hill View Road in which a 19-year-old local man was threatened by three bottle-wielding boys at 1am on Saturday, June 21. The man ran off, uninjured.

During the course of their investigations, detectives have been told that there have been other, similar robberies in the area but have had none reported to them.

Anyone with information in connection with a recent robbery near the Riverside Retail Park is urged to contact detectives at Chelmsford police station on 101.