MASKED thugs threatened staff during a terrifying robbery at a Wickford Co-op. 

Three men threatened staff in the London Road store before stealing handfuls of cigarettes at roughly 10am yesterday morning. 

According to residents living close to the store, the men told staff they had "knives and acid" as they ordered them to let them behind the counter to take the cigarettes. 

A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle and police are appealing for witnesses to help find the two others involved. 

One resident, who asked the Echo not to be named, visited the shop half hour after the incident and found it was closed with terrified staff speaking to police outside. 

He said: “I usually go into the shop to get my Sunday newspaper from there, but it was closed because of the incident.

“When I went to go in, which was about half an hour after the incident happened, I was told that three people had robbed it this morning and threatened three people who work there.

“I’ve lived in the area for a long time and been getting my paper from their for 40 years and I’ve never known of anything like this to happen.”

The Co-op re-opened by midday yesterday however the counter behind the till - where the cigarettes are stored - was visibly damaged. 

Police have categorised the incident as an "aggravated burglary" meaning - weapons were involved. 

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called to the Co-op at St Peters Terrace, London Road, Wickford, following reports of an aggravated burglary at around 10am on Sunday 22 September.

“It was reported that three people entered the store, going behind the staff counter and taking an unknown quantity of cigarettes. 

“No one has been reported as injured.

“A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle. 

“He remains in custody for questioning"
Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101.