A MAN was threatened with a knife during a “terrifying” daylight robbery in a Colchester road which has previously been branded “lawless”.

Essex Police officers were called to North Station Road in Colchester following reports of a knifepoint robbery shortly before 3.30pm on Tuesday.

According to the force, a man was threatened with a knife before being robbed of an undisclosed sum of cash.

Following the attack, two police cars were spotted parked in a road which connects North Station Road to Albert Street between the Star Anglia Hotel and the Globe Hotel.

Gazette: Scene - Police cars spotted between Star Anglia Hotel and the Globe Hotel, in North Station Road, Colchester Scene - Police cars spotted between Star Anglia Hotel and the Globe Hotel, in North Station Road, Colchester (Image: Public)
One shocked resident, who lives nearby, said hearing of such a serious attack only a stone’s throw from her doorstep is unsettling.

She said: “It is a worry and it is never nice seeing police officers investigating a violent robbery just around the corner from where you live.

“I’ve lived here for a few years now and I personally like the area. I know North Station Road sometimes gets a bad name but I personally have never had any issues.

“I just hope whoever the victim of this attack is okay.”

North Station Road has come under fire in recent years, with some councillors branding it “lawless” and a hotbed for drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

Mark Goacher, Colchester councillor for Castle ward, has said he is appalled by the attack and urged eyewitnesses to contact the police as soon as possible.  

“This is an awful incident and I’m thinking of the person who has been robbed. If anyone saw anything please give the info to the police,” he said.

“This area is the route into our city from the station so let’s prioritise it.

Gazette: Concern - Colchester councillor Mark Goacher Concern - Colchester councillor Mark Goacher (Image: Newsquest)
“Knife crime is a blight on our society so all avenues should be explored to reduce the number of knives out there in society.

“We need to prioritise the North Station Road area in terms of reducing both crime and general anti-social behaviour.

“Please report any incidents to the police and the council must be mindful of the general effect on this area when considering planning applications.”

Essex Police have now launched an investigation into the robbery.

A spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing and officers are currently in the area. 

“We ask anyone with any information to contact us quoting reference 735 of 5 December.”