POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Harlow.

At 9.30pm on Tuesday, July 17, a man was walking through the wooded area off Abercrombie Way when he was approached by three black men asking for a lighter, when the victim produced a lighter the men threatened him and demanded his mobile phone.

The suspects are described as black men, one aged 25 to 28, with pimples on his cheek, 5ft 10ins, of medium build, wearing a black t-shirt, blue hooded top and black jeans. The second suspect is described as 25 to 30, 5ft 8ins, of medium build, with short black hair and stubble. He had a white ear stud on his right ear and wore a yellow t-shirt, a black waterproof jacket and jeans. The third man is described as 20 to 22, 5ft 9ins, of big build with short black hair.

Investigating officer Pc Neale Parker said: “We are appealing for anyone who witnessed this event or who thinks they know the identity of these men to contact us. We are also looking to speak to a man who was good enough to walk with our victim to the bus station after the incident and may have witnessed the event, he is described as a white man in his forties with spiky hair who was wearing blue jeans and a grey t-shirt.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pc Neale Parker at Harlow police station on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.