A ROBBER who threatened a security guard with a knife before stealing a cash box from him later found it to be empty, it has emerged.

Roddy Ashworth

A ROBBER who threatened a security guard with a knife before stealing a cash box from him later found it to be empty, it has emerged.

The robbery happened at around 10.15am yesterday in the car park of Fivefields Co-Op, in Colchester, when the man forced the security guard to the ground and took the box.

On making his escape he was chased and wrestled to the ground by a member of the public but eventually managed to reach a blue Citroen C1 car where an accomplice was waiting.

The vehicle moved into Veronica Walk where more people became involved in efforts to prevent the vehicle from leaving the area.

The car was later abandoned in Clarkia Walk and has been recovered by police for forensic examination.

The security guard, a 49 year old man from Harwich, received minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.

The robber is described as dark skinned, with a round face, aged 25-30, about 6ft tall, with short dark hair and a stocky build.

He was wearing two hooded tops.

No description of the robber's accomplice has been given.

Detectives later revealed that the box had nothing in it, but said they were appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.

Police want to speak to anyone who saw the robbery or the struggle afterwards.

They also want to speak to anyone who saw the Citroen car in the area before the incident, or saw the men leave the car and get into another vehicle.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact detectives at Colchester CID on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.