A TEENAGE girl was punched in the face by a woman during a "horrendous" early morning robbery in Walton.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the vicious incident, which happened on Monday, September 13.

Details of the attack, during which the victim’s purse and phone were taken, were not released by the police until yesterday.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses or dash cam footage following a robbery in Walton.

"It was reported to us that a teenage girl was assaulted at Princes Esplanade in the early hours.

"The victim was punched to the face by a woman.

"During the incident her phone and purse were taken."

Walton councillor Delyth Miles said she was concerned about an apparent increase in violent incidents in the town.

She said: "This robbery was horrendous and I hope the victim has made a speedy recovery.

"But this is all getting very worrying.

"I will be attending a meeting of Tendring Council's scrutiny committee and will be raising this with the police.

"We have to stop antisocial behaviour at the ground level before it escalates and gets even more dangerous.

"There are nasty little crimes going on here.

"I don't want the police wasting time on good news stories and projects, we need to know what they doing in Frinton and Walton and if they are patrolling the area.

"What are our Police Community Support Officers, who the town council pay for, doing - and what is being done in terms of enforcement.

"We have had three or four nasty incidents this year, including a knifepoint robbery at Quality Foods, in Old Pier Street, in August, two robbers posed as a police officer during a burglary in Woodberry Way, and there was also a break-in a shop in High Street.

"It could get worse and worse unless we see boots on the ground."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dash cam footage or has any information that may help the enquiry, is asked to call Essex Police us on 101 quoting crime reference number 42/196848/21.

You can also report information online at essex.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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