WOMEN have been left terrified to use an underpass on their way to Pitsea train station after an attempted mugging.

Shannon Oakley, 21, from Basildon, was walking through the underpass near Tescos and Pitsea train station when the frightening attack.

She posted about the incident, which happened just after 8am on Tuesday on the Crimewatch Basildon Facebook page to warn other women to be careful.

She said: “This morning at 8.10am near Pitsea train station underpass a man who was aged in his mid-40s tried to mug me.

“As I was alone he thought I was vulnerable but I managed to get away from him unharmed and he didn’t take anything from me.

“Just a warning to anyone who walks through here on a daily basis like myself; be so careful!

“The police have been informed! Scumbag!”

Other commuters who frequently use the underpass to get to the station have now spoken of their fears at having to use it – but believe they have little other choice.

Zoe Preston, 28, of the Eversley Estate, said: “I work in London so have to use it every day but this is really scary because it happened in broad daylight.

“You would expect something like that to happen in the evening; I won’t walk down there at night my fiancé comes to collect me from the station when it’s dark – he won’t let me walk down there at that time.

“But this is really frightening. But I don’t really have a choice, I have to get to work and there’s not really another way to get there.

“The only other option would be to cross the busy road and that’s just as dangerous; you’re taking your life in your hands either way.”

Tracey Flannery, 45, of Chalvedon Avenue, is also concerned about using the route. She walks to the station every day with her daughter Lauren Flannery, 25.

She said: “It’s always been a worry walking through it and I try to avoid it in winter unless someone else is also walking through....it’s dark and not very well lit at all.

Often get people hanging around drinking inbetween underpasses.

Ultimately regular users would like a safe secure way to get to the station without risk of attack or being hit by a car!

“It’s a worrying situation either way. This poor girl being attacked in broad daylight demonstrates that. The whole layout is a risk whatever way you look at it.

“Many people are saying to take a longer route such as through the Tesco car park as it’s a bit safer to cross road there but takes longer. But we will probably do that from now on. I think a safe walkway or crossing needs to be designed that is not secluded or a safety hazard.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were called to reports of a man attempting to steal a woman’s handbag in Pitsea in Station Lane, at around 8.10am on Tuesday, May 23.

“The woman, in her twenties, was walking alone through the underpass close to the train station when a man approached her and began pulling on the woman’s handbag.

“The woman was able to get away and no items were stolen.

“The man is described as being 5ft 10, in his mid-forties and of slim build, with short black hair and wearing a black top and trousers.

“Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact 101.”