TWO men are in custody having been arrested by officers present in a shop during a robbery in Grays.
Officers were at the Happy Shopper in Jesmond Road, Grays, at around 9.50pm last night Saturday, January 5, following reports of a theft occurring at around 9.20pm that evening.
While officers were inside the shop two men entered and threatened a staff member with a knife and demanded money.
One man, aged 19 from Grays was detained on scene while the other, aged 21 from Dagenham was arrested in nearby Springfield Road following a search.
Both remain in custody.
Update: 10am Mon Jan 7th
Two men will appear in court today, Monday, January 7, charged in connection with an attempted robbery which occurred while officers were inside a shop in Grays.
Elliott Carr, 21, of Braintree Road, Dagenham, and Jason Patmore, 19, of Springfield Road, Grays, were arrested after two men entered the Happy Shopper in Jesmond Road at around 9.50pm on Saturday, January 5, and demanded money.
Officers were inside the shop at the time following a previous theft at 9.20pm.
Carr and Patmore have been charged with both offences, attempted robbery and theft.
They will appear before magistrates in Southend today, Monday, January 7.
I remember people being derided for suggesting that the influx of people from London would result in an increase in the use of knives in crime in Thurrock.
I think an increase in knife crime has more to do with our weak laws and punishment system rather than people moving from other parts of the UK. Thurrock is pretty safe in comparison to areas close to us which is why people think they can commit this type of crime here….they think they will get away with it….most times do probably do.