Calls have been made for security cameras to be installed and a greater police presence in Brightlingsea after an armed raid on Barclays Bank.

A raider wearing a balaclava and holding a handgun threatened staff at the High Street branch on Friday morning before escaping with "hundreds of pounds" in cash.

Police are keen to trace a black motorbike which was outside the bank at the time and witnesses say they heard roar off from the scene.

The raid has shocked the normally quiet community.

Tony Cracknell, manager of Stobbs butchers, near Barclays, said: "Things have changed round here. We need cameras putting up and we need more police because we have got no police in the station at night.

"When people find places don't have cameras, they go there and avoid places that do have them. If you have not got cameras, they are going to hit you."

Another resident said: "You think it won't happen in places like Brightlingsea, and then it happens. You don't expect it somewhere like here."

A shopkeeper near Barclays, who did not wish to be identified, said: "I didn't see anything, but there was a really loud motorbike that pulled off at about the same time, which made everyone look up. But it might not have been part of the robbery.

"The first thing we knew is when the police walked in. It is scary, isn't it, when you think nothing like this ever happens in Brightlingsea."

Det Sgt Richard Bowler, of Clacton CID, said as the raider left he barged past a couple in their eighties, who were coming in.

He added: "No shots were fired and no-one was injured but it was very traumatic for all of those in the bank at the time. The staff will receive support from the victims' support scheme and from their own staff support network."

The robber is described as a white man, aged 20 to 30, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins tall, with dark brown eyes. He was wearing a peaked balaclava, with the peak pulled to one side, and a short black zipper-style jacket.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Brightlingsea CID on 01255 221312 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

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