A shopkeeper has revealed how he feared for his wife and five-year-old child after two terrifying attacks on his shop in Westcliff.

Ali Naqvi, who runs the International Call Shop in London Road, was last week subjected to a frightening ordeal when a man burst in and threw a burning bag of cloth at his face.

The door in the alleyway next to his shop was also set alight - which is the only exit to the flats upstairs where two residents live.

Early yesterday (Wednesday), a hoax bomb was left outside the shop prompting the army bomb disposal unit to carry out a controlled explosion.

Police arrested an 18- year-old man in connection with the bomb hoax but he was released on bail pending further inquiries.

The 36-year-old father, who moved to Southend from East London in February, remains baffled as to who carried out the attacks.

He said: "I have no idea who is doing this but I'm absolutely terrified. My wife used to sit in the shop with my child but I'm too scared to let them do this anymore."

Business is booming at the shop - but the attacks have left his future in doubt. He said: "I put up a security camera after the attack on Friday but I'm becoming increasingly concerned."

Det Con Andy Hill, heading the investigation from Leighpolice station said: "We're treating these incidents together and would like anyone who knows anything to come forward."

Police are keen to trace anyone who saw a man wearing a long coat and a cowboy hat walking with a carrier bag along London Road, between Hamlet Court Road and the Palace Theatre, at 7pm on Friday.

They also want to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious on Tuesday night before the hoax bomb was planted. The bomb was discovered shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

Anyone with information should call Det Con Hill on 01702 471212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Terror - Ali Naqvi outside his shop

Picture: CHRIS WEEKS

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.