POLICE are warning people to be careful after dark following a string of violent street robberies.

It is feared a robber and his accomplice are targeting women and teenagers in Laindon and Basildon. Some of the incidents have involved a knife.

The warning comes after a woman in her fifties suffered a head injury after being mugged in Laindon on Saturday night.

Between 10.30pm and 11.20pmon Saturday a woman aged in her fifties was attacked at the junction of Hatterills and Station Approach.

The robber approached her from behind and grabbed her handbag, causing her to fall to the floor and hit her head.

She was taken to hospital for treatment.

Her bag contained bank cards, a purple Samsung and a black iPhone 4.

On Saturday evening, thugs tried to attack a teenage boy as he walked through the park off Frettons in Basildon.

Last week the Echo reported a thug threatened to stab a 51-year old woman and then stole her handbag.

The victim was walking along Tyler Avenue on Monday, November 10, when the robber rode up to her on a bike.

She handed over her handbag containing an old-style Nokia mobile phone and the robber ran off.

Detective Sgt Mike Wilkinson, of Basildon CID, said: “Police are investigating a number of reported robberies which have occurred within the past two-week period.

“These incidents have all occurred within Laindon and Basildon and are reported to have occurred during the hours of darkness.

“Some of the incidents involved one suspect and others involved two.

“The description of the suspects are, males wearing a scarf around their face or covering their face from view.

“Members of the public are encouraged to be mindful of their own personal safety at all times and in particular when carrying any bags with them.

“Should you have any information that might assist police with their investigations please contact Basildon police on 101 or crimestoppers.”