YOBS are threatening young children and attempting to rob them of phones and bicycles.

Youths threatened children as young as 11 during incidents in Benfleet.

In the first incident, which happened at around 2pm in Southview Road, a 17-year-old victim was approached by two suspects who demanded his mobile phone.

The victim did not hand anything over and escaped the scene unscathed.

The next incident took place between 4.30pm and 5pm outside the Sainsbury’s Local store on High Road.

A group of children who were waiting near the store were approached by two suspects.

Threats were made towards them in an attempt to steal a pedal cycle belonging to one of the group.

However, before the suspects could steal the bike, two adults intervened and the suspects left without causing any injury or taking anything.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating following an incident in Benfleet where a group of boys were reportedly threatened.

“It was reported a group of boys were approached by two other boys in the area of South View Road, Clifton Avenue and High Road.

“It was reported the boys demanded the group hand over items and threatened them but nothing was taken and it has not been reported that any weapon was seen.”

A spokesman for the Castle Point and Rochford Local Policing team added: “The two suspects have been described as being white, aged between 15 and 17-years-old.

“One of them was wearing a black puffed jacket, black trousers and Nike baseball cap.

Extra patrols have taken place in Benfleet as a result of the reports but no arrests are believed to have been made at this time.

Police are appealing for witnesses, including those who helped, to get in touch to help stop similar incidents happening in the future.

Fortunately nobody was hurt but the victims were left shaken.

If anyone has any information about the incidents, they can contact the policing team on 101 quoting incident 0839 of November 13, e-mail at castlepointandrochfordcpt@essex.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555 111.