Detectives today warned companies to take extra precautions when travelling to bank large amounts of cash following a serious robbery.

Officers hunting a violent robber who stole £5,000 after punching a pub worker in the face have hit a brick wall with their enquiries.

And while the culprit remains at large and able to re-offend their advice is that people should take as much care as possible with their takings.

It is thought the criminal in question followed his 45-year-old victim on her way from an unnamed pub to the Shotgate Post Office.

She was carrying all the takings from the Bank Holiday weekend in her handbag and was attacked soon after getting out of her car in Southend Road at 5.15pm on Tuesday, January 4.

More in today's Echo.