POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man had a valuable designer watch stolen when he confronted rowdy youths outside his Essex home.

Roddy Ashworth

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man had a valuable designer watch stolen when he confronted rowdy youths outside his Essex home.

The robbery happened when the 36-year-old householder challenged three noisy teenagers in a field near to his property on Malyon Close, Braintree, shortly after 6.30pm on New Year's Eve.

The man had gone outside to ask why the boys were causing a commotion when they threatened him with violence.

They then forced him to hand over his designer watch which is worth approximately �2,500.

The three robbers then ran off towards Tabor Avenue.

Investigating Officer, Det Con Liam Fuller, said: “This was a disturbing robbery in which a law-abiding citizen was trying to do his public duty and deal with some nuisance youths.

“However, he was threatened and forced to hand over his watch.

“The fields behind Malyon Close are used by dog walkers and I would ask for any information from anyone who was in the area at the time on New Year's Eve.”

Malyon Close is part of a new development just off Rayne Road and behind Tabor High School.

The man's assailants were described as white, in their mid-late teens, approximately 5ft 8ins tall.

They were each wearing woolly hats and light-coloured hoodies.

One of the boys had a distinctive 'N' emblem on his top.

The victim, who lives in Malyon Close with his wife and children, was uninjured but left shocked at the incident.

Anyone with information in connection with this robbery is urged to contact detectives at Braintree police station on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.