POLICE in Essex are appealing for information after armed robbers threatened a group of people with a gun before making off with a mobile phone.

The drama unfolded in St Ann’s Road, Southend, on January 9 at about 6pm when two people were looking at a motorbike outside a property.

Two men, one holding a gun, then approached the pair and one was told to ring the doorbell of the property.

Once it was opened, one of the suspects entered the home and allegedly threatened those inside with a handgun – it was reported that the suspect said: “Where is the money?”

After stealing a mobile phone, one of the suspects ran off towards Milton Road and the other towards Sutton Road.

There were seven people inside the home at the time and some of them pursued the suspects briefly.

Both suspects are described as white, about 6ft tall and medium build.

The man with the gun was aged between 19-30, with fair eyebrows and blue eyes. He was wearing a black jacket with the hood up and a scarf was covering the bottom half of his face.

The other man was aged in his early 20s, and was similarly dressed.

DC Paul Brown said: “I would like to speak to any witnesses or anyone who saw these men acting suspiciously in the area, or running away at the time of the offence.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Brown and Southend CID on 101.