A TERRIFIED teenager was forced to hand over his moped to a thug who punched him and threatened him with a knife.

The 16-year-old was riding his moped with a friend in Enterprise Way, Wickford, when a burgundy-coloured people carrier pulled up alongside him.

A man then climbed out of the car and punched the boy in the face.

The attacker stole the boy’s moped and helmet before threatening him with a knife.

It is then believed that he got back into the car with the moped and fled from the scene.

So far, no arrests have been made. Police are appealing for witnesses.

It comes after the Echo revealed yesterday a woman aged in her forties was forced to hand over cash to two men who cornered her as she was walking along Uppermayne, Basildon.

Michael Mowe, Tory councillor for Wickford North, said: “We do seem to have had a lot of crime in Wickford recently with a lot of burglaries but this is a bit out of the ordinary. I do find it shocking.

“Any crime is horrendous but for somebody to get out of a car and assault someone and take their moped is disgusting.

“The people responsible need to be caught.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating following a robbery in Wickford.

“The victim, a 16 year-old boy, was with a friend on their mopeds in Enterprise Way at around 7.40pm last Monday when they were approached by a burgundy-coloured seven-seater vehicle .

“A man got out of the vehicle, punched the victim in the face and took his helmet and moped.

“The victim was then threatened with a knife and the suspects made off with his moped.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”