A shopkeeper chased off a would-be robber after being threatened with an aerosol can in his Thundersley shop.

An Essex Police spokesman said the incident happened at 8.20pm yesterday at the GB supermarket in Hart Road, when the suspect, a youth in his late teens, approached the shop owner and demanded cash, spraying an unknown substance at him.

The 41-year-old shopkeeper, who was alone in the store, ran around the side of the counter towards the would-be thief, who fled. The owner chased him but could not catch him.

The youth has been described as white, about 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, and wearing a blue baseball cap, blue trousers, and a blue waist-length jacket.

Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to contact CID officers at Benfleet on 01268 756221 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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