A catalogue of violent knifepoint robberies across Southend today sparked a tough new offensive by police.

Officers vowed to step up precautions following seven raids on shops in Southend and Rayleigh since Sunday. However, police cannot find evidence to link the incidents.

The latest robbery was at Unwin's wine merchants in Main Road, Hawkwell, in which £100 was snatched from the till by a knifeman.

A police helicopter helped to search for the man, described as in his 20s with short mousy-coloured hair, who had left a female assistant badly shaken after the knifepoint robbery. It came after two other knifepoint robberies on Tuesday.

Information to police on 01702 431212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Thursday, March 14, 2002