Two terrified 16-year-olds were attacked by robbers who beat them about the heads with a table leg and threatened them with a dog.
One of the boys was bitten by the animal, described as a pit-bull, during the assault near Colchester Arts Centre on Thursday.
The boys were leaving the building at about 8.30pm when the robbers stopped them and took £50.
Det Sgt Roger Napier of Colchester police said: "It was a particularly nasty attack on two boys just enjoying a night out. They were left shocked and stunned by the incident."
The boys had gone to the arts centre to get a refund on a cancelled gig. They were walking from the building when one attacker pulled a table leg from a black rucksack.
Det Sgt Roger Napier said: "The boys were hit around the head with the weapon. Luckily they were not seriously injured."
One robber, who had the dog on a lead, was described as 5ft 7ins with scruffy, unkempt hair. He wore a black hat which had a red Nike tick logo, and scruffy clothes.
The other was 5ft 8ins had a close-shaven head and blond stubble. He wore a dark grey suit with a rip in the right arm.
Anyone with any information should ring police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
By Louise Fuller
Reporter's e-mail: louise_fuller@thisisessex.co.uk
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article