A HOODED yob grabbed a woman by her wrists and forced her to hand over her belongings in a terrifying robbery in an alleyway.

The 25-year-old woman, who lives in Pitsea, was walking along St Mary's Path after a trip to the shops in nearby Rectory Road when she encountered a man walking in front of her.

At first, he started up a conversation but within minutes he had grabbed her by her wrists and trapped her so she was unable to move.

The man, aged in his early twenties, ordered her to give him her iPhone 6, her watch and the bangle that she was wearing.

When she handed over her belongings, he ran off in the direction of Rectory Road.

The robbery happened at about 10.55am on Monday, May 16.

Following the robbery, the woman called the police and officers from the Basildon community policing team searched the area for the suspect, but there was no trace of him.

Investigations are continuing and anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour at the time of the attack is urged to call police.

PC Marek Jaworski, from Basildon police, said: "As this robbery happened down an alleyway, it is unlikely that there would be anyone who witnessed it but we hope that there might have been people close by who remember any suspicious behaviour.

"This happened in the late morning so there will have been plenty of people in that area.

"We are also releasing a description of the suspect in the hope that someone will recognise him.

"He had light hair and had his hood up.

"He is aged in his early 20s and wore a light grey tracksuit. He also spoke with a London accent.

"Thankfully no weapons were used but the fact that he has grabbed hold of her has given her the fear that violence might happen.

"She was left shaken but unhurt."

No arrests have yet been made.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively they can visit crimestoppers-uk.org.