A woman was attacked and robbed in a terrifying incident in Basildon Hospital car park. 

The suspect, a man wearing a black balaclava, gloves and dark clothing including navy jogging bottoms, fled the area on foot after the robbery at 6.40am this morning. 

The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Police believe a number of people were in the area at the time and are urgently appealing for any witnesses to come forward. 

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We are appealing for any witnesses or dashcam footage following an assault close to Basildon Hospital.

"We were called with reports a woman had been assaulted and robbed in the car park of Basildon Hospital at about 6.40am on Monday 15 July.

"We believe several people were in the area at the time of the incident and want to speak to anyone that saw the assault or the suspect.

"The victim also sounded the horn of their car repeatedly at the time of the attack.

"If you have any information or dashcam footage, please contact us quoting incident number 272 of Monday 15 July.ent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are aware of a serious assault in the car park at Basildon Hospital this morning.

"Police are investigating the incident and security has been stepped up. The safety of staff and patients using our car parks is very important to us, and we will be reviewing what else we can do to keep everyone as safe as possible.”