The two members of staff, both aged in their 20s, were confronted by the group of five or six young men all wearing gloves and balaclavas. One member of staff was punched causing a cut to his chin. He did not require hospital treatment.
The robbers stole cigarettes worth around £4,000 and several hundred pounds in cash. It is thought that they arrived on foot and escaped over a wall at the rear of the service station into Scratton Road.
Investigating officer, Pc Jenna Thompson, said: “Although these aren’t the clearest images, some of the clothing worn by the suspects is fairly distinctive. If you think you know who they are, we need to hear from you.”
One of the young men was wearing a grey hooded Adidas jacket and grey jogging bottoms with a white stripe. A second man wore a jacket with ‘Ed Hardy’ on it.
In the course of the struggle one of the victims dropped a dish of curry and it is likely that the robbers’ clothing may have been splashed with the sauce.
Anyone with any information about the robbery is asked to contact the Thurrock CID target team or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
