A PITSEA Market stallholder has been threatened with a “large knife” as police confirm 12-year-old boy is arrested.

Essex Police was called to an incident shortly after 12pm yesterday, Saturday 25 February, during which a stallholder had been threatened with a large knife. 

Officers were quickly on the scene and carried out a widespread search for the suspect. 

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Shortly after, a 12-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of robbery.

He has been released on conditional bail whilst Essex Police enquiries continue

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Officers who responded quickly to a report of a robbery at Pitsea Market have arrested a boy.

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“We were called to an incident shortly after 12pm yesterday, Saturday 25 February, during which a stallholder had been threatened with a large knife. 

“Thankfully, the victim was not injured but was understandably shaken. 

“Officers were quickly on the scene and carried out a widespread search for the suspect. 

“Shortly after, a 12-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of robbery. 

“The arrest was made by officers attached to our Operation Mantis team. That operation is Essex’s Police direct response to incidents of violence in the Basildon area.

“The boy was questioned and released on conditional bail whilst our enquiries continue.

“Two other people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.

“They have also been released on conditional bail.

“We need anyone with information on the incident but has not yet come forward to speak to us to get in touch.

“Specifically, we’d like to speak to anyone with dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage of the area.

“Please cite incident 527 of 25 February.”