A Harold Hill milkman had his life threatened twice over Christmas when he was confronted by knifemen during his early morning rounds.

The incidents which police say they are treating "very seriously" come just five months after another milkman, also employed by Dairy Crest, was held at gunpoint in Ramsey Gardens, Harold Hill.

At about 6.30am on December 23, in Keats Avenue on the Poets' Estate, the 55-year-old milkman was confronted by two men in balaclavas one waving an eight inch kitchen knife and the other holding a smaller knife.

The milkman was driving along a service road which leads to allotments when the robbers approached either side of the milkfloat. They said: "Give us your money mate," and when he handed it over they ran off.

Both men are described as white, 5ft 10in, wearing dark balaclavas and a dark tracksuits.

Just over a week later the same milkman was doing his round in Morris Road, Harold Hill at about 6.15am, when he was confronted by a man wielding a six inch knife, who said: "Give us your money mate or I'll stab you."

The milkman told him he had only started the round and couldn't give him any money. The knifeman ran off.

He is described as about 21, wearing a black tracksuit, a black and grey check trilby hat and a black scarf over his mouth.

DC Dick Beadle from Romford Police said: "We are treating this very seriously and are doing everything we can to track down the suspects. The recent robberies are definitely connected. The milkman was very frightened.

"He was just doing his job. Although they don't carry thousands of pounds around with them, milkmen are an easy target because they work alone in the early hours when there aren't many people about."

Anyone who saw anything on those days or has any information should contact the Romford Police crime desk on 01708 779241.

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