Terrified security guards were robbed at gunpoint as they delivered cash to a Southend post office.
The security van was ambushed as it delivered money to a post office in Lonsdale Road, at its junction with Central Avenue at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
As one of the guards left the van he was accosted by a man who pushed a handgun into his stomach.
His accomplice then ordered a second guard inside the vehicle to hand out cash bags.
Police say three pouches containing a substantial amount of cash were handed over before then men made off towards Shoebury in a red hatch back car along Central Avenue.
Both men were described as white and one may have been wearing a florescent jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Paul Bird or anyone else at Southend CID on 01702 431212 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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