A teenager was left “distressed” after a group of older boys threatened him and robbed his phone and games console at a north Essex shopping centre.

The 14-year-old victim was cycling through Freeport Shopping Village, Braintree, at around 6.55pm last night when he stopped to make a phone call.

Essex Police said he was approached by a group of 14 people who threatened him and took his mobile phone and X-box before walking off towards Charter Way.

The group are said to be all black males aged in their mid-to-late teens.

Their faces were reported to be covered with scarves and they were all wearing hooded tops.

“The victim was not injured but left distressed,” a police spokesman added.

“This happened at a time when the area would have been very busy with shoppers, diners and people passing in cars.”

Anyone with information or who may have captured the incident on dash cam are asked toe call Braintree CID on 101 quoting crime reference number 42/12388/18.

People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.