DETECTIVES in Colchester have appealed for a potentially key witness to an attempted robbery in Colchester to get in touch.

DETECTIVES in Colchester have appealed for a potentially key witness to an attempted robbery in Colchester to get in touch.

The mystery man was wearing a fluorescent coat as he walked along a footpath in the town at about 9.45pm last night.

His presence is thought to have helped defuse an attempted robbery taking place on the footpath along Salary Brook and police feel he may have valuable details that could help their investigation.

During the incident, a 19-year-old man was followed along the path before he was threatened with a knife by another man who demanded that he hand over possessions.

The presence of the highly-visible passer by is thought to have made the robber give up and flee the scene empty handed.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Gavin Watson of Colchester CID said: “There is no doubt in my mind that a more serious attack was prevented by the presence of the member of the public, a man wearing a fluorescent jacket.

“I am appealing for this person to make contact with me.”

The robber is described as white, aged between 16 and 20 and was wearing a white baseball cap and a scarf across his face.

The witness, or anyone with information about the incident, can contact detectives at Colchester CID on 0300 3334444.