NEW images have been issued of a man who held up a person at knifepoint for an hour in Brentwood town centre.

The pictures show a distinctive hooded top worn by the man, who along with another suspect demanded a man in his 20s from Brentwood hand over personal items.

On October 14, the victim was approached by two men at about 4.20am in William Hunter Way. One of the men pulled out a knife and demanded his belongings, including a debit card.

He was then forced to a nearby cash machine before the crooks took money from his account.

This happened over the course of an hour and Det Con Lee Crane, the investigating officer, calling the incident “distressing”.

He said: “I would like to speak to anybody who knows someone who fits the description and may own the distinctive hooded top.

“I am keen to bring these offenders to justice so they cannot cause the fear and distress which they have to the victim of this crime.”

The image released by police shows a mant wearing a black hooded top with a white lion logo of clothing company Lonsdale printed on it.

The same suspect is described as being white, stocky and had shaven ginger or light coloured hair.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Crane at Southend CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.