ARMED robbers threatened fast food workers during a terrifying raid, before fleeing with cash from the tills.

The drama unfolded when two men burst into the 24-hour McDonald’s, at the Old Market Retail Park, Pitsea Broadway, at 4.30am yesterday.

They threatened staff with weapons, before stealing the takings and fleeing.

In the aftermath of the raid, six police cars and a dog unit remained at the scene until 9am as they carried out initial investigations.

Officers stood guard at the entrance of the restaurant, which remained cordoned off.

However, the robbery – the latest of many on Pitsea Broadway in recent years – came as no shock to traders there.

Jewellers Frederick James, on Broadway North, updated its security system in January after four masked men burst into the store in broad daylight at the end of last year.

During that incident, raiders smashed the glass counters with hammers before stealing watches and jewellery.

The main and internal doors at the shop are nowboth secured with an intercom entry system.

Manager Cliff Brown said: “Unfortunately, I think this sort of crime is a nationwide phenomenon these days.

“It doesn’t surprise me in Pitsea or anywhere really. We’ve been targeted ourselves, so we knowwhat it’s like.

“We just got so fed up with it, we thought we should do whatever we can to protect ourselves.

“We’re lucky we can do that, but I understand it’s harder for other places, especially a 24-hour business like McDonald’s.”

Mike Sullivan, owner of World of Flowers next door, added: “I saw all the police tape when I was heading into work at 8.30am and wondered what had happened.

“Nothing surprises me anymore, we’re used to hearing about things like this.

“There is no point in worrying about what might happen to us because you’d drive yourself crazy.

“My main concern is people getting hurt, even if violence isn’t used in these attacks, people are still going to be shaken up for a long time.”

A spokesman for McDonald’s could not confirm whether any staff were hurt or if security was going to be beefed up at the restaurant as a result of the robbery.

He would also not comment on the incident because of the “ongoing police investigation”.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery at the McDonald's restaurant at Old Market Retail Park, on High Road, Pitsea. It happened just before 4.30am.

“Two men who were armed with a weapon threatened staff before taking money from the till.

“Detectives are taking statements from the victims to establish the weapon used, howmuch money was taken and get descriptions of the suspects.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Basildon CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.