Twins left terrified after armed gang attack in Colchester

The youngsters, who are 15, say they were attacked and mugged at the East Bay allotments, off East Hill, at about 4pm on Tuesday, by six thugs.

During the terrifying ordeal the schoolboys were forced to hand over an iPhone, before one of their friends also had his coat and Air Pods stolen.

The twins’ mum Kat Harvey says she had given her sons the phone so they could keep in contact, but is now too afraid to let them have one.

Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “I was devastated and angry.

“My boys were very shaken up and they thought they were going to die, and I was furious when I heard that, but they didn't cry once.

“They did the right thing, quickly handing their phone over. Imagine six brutes confronting you when you're a lot smaller and younger than they are.

“We need to find these thugs so Colchester can become a safe place again. You don't think for a minute as you're walking home that you're about to be mugged.”

The incident comes amid concerns about crime in the East Hill area.

One victim, who asked to remain anonymous, says he and his friend were attacked last month after being followed near the allotments.

He said: “My friend told me to run, but I turned around to confront the lads and was smashed over the head with a baseball bat.

“I had a large machete pushed to my chest and then I legged it – I have never run so fast in my life.

“This has affected me massively. I have really bad epilepsy and now I'm constantly fitting every day and I'm stressed 24/7 having to keep looking behind me.”

Essex Police have been contacted for comment.