POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a robbery in Grays.

A 40-year-old woman was walking down an alleyway off Wharf Road, past a tunnel leading to the nearby Aldi store, at about 12.30pm on June 30.

She heard someone call out and when she turned around, she saw a man who asked her for what she thought was money for a drink.

Investigating officer PC Steven Tilley said: "She opened her bag to get out £5 but he then demanded all her money and acted in a threatening way.

"She gave him £120 and he ran off. The incident left the victim very shaken.”

The man was described as speaking in broken English with a foreign accent.

He had short black untidy hair, an olive complexion and wore dirty-looking dark blue jeans, a burgundy coloured shirt and a well-worn black leather jacket.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call Pc Steven Tilley at Grays CID on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via the Crimestoppers website.