A MAN has been left with a serious head injury after being robbed at gunpoint by two men.

The 57-year-old man had been out for the evening with his partner and friends and was returning to the friends’ address in The Drive, Hullbridge at about 11.15pm on Sunday.

They were approached outside by two men, one of whom had what appeared to be a gun.

The suspects demanded money and there was an altercation, during which the victim suffered a serious head injury, believed to be from being pushed to the ground.

The suspects forced the victim and friends into the address and demanded money.

Money was handed over and the suspects then fled the scene.

The victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where his condition is described as critical.

No-one else was hurt during the incident and the firearm was not discharged.

Residents said they were surprised by the incident and it had raised safety concerns in the area.

Heather Shelley, who lives a few doors down from where the incident happened, said: “I live alone so it is quite scary. There was armed police here and a helicopter and the police cars have been here all night “It is weird how they picked that house because it is quite far back from the road. It does make you feel quite scared, it is just awful.

“It seems like there is quite a lot of burglaries and that in Hullbridge now. Our neighbour was burgled when they were on holiday but nothing like this.”

Carol Cowling, 70, who lives on the same street, said: “I was up late waiting for my son to call me from Canada. He never called and I went to close the curtains when I saw an ambulance outside and I heard the helicopter. The ambulance was there for quite some time but I wasn’t sure what had happened until this morning.

“I can’t say anything like this has ever happened around here before – it must be a one off. It is quite shocking, you don’t expect it around here but it will definitely make me think twice about walking home alone now.”

Police carried out a search of the area, assisted by the force helicopter, and enquiries are ongoing to locate suspects.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact 101, email scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers.