POLICE are stepping up patrols in a popular park after a recent spate of crimes.

Uniformed and plain-clothes officers are patrolling Chalkwell Park on Friday evenings. Extra officers have also been drafted in during school holidays and at weekends.

Meanwhile, Southend Council has confirmed it is recruiting three mobile park wardens to cover the borough's parks, including Chalkwell, to help tighten security.

In one of the recent attacks, a robber escaped with just 15p after attacking a 15-year-old boy and threatening him with what was believed to be a knife. The balaclava-clad attacker followed the boy along London Road, by Chalkwell Park, before pouncing in Westbourne Grove and throwing him to the floor.

The robber pulled the knife from his sleeve and held it against the boy's stomach, forcing him to hand over his loose change.

Police have only just released details of the attack, at 5.15pm on Thursday, April 17, but say it is the second robbery in the park in two weeks.

Three boys, two aged ten and one 11, had mobile phones stolen by a man on a silver bike, who threatened to stab them.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man shortly afterwards on suspicion of robbery. He has been released on police bail until June 23.

Concerned father Stephen Webster's sons play in the park and he is calling for the council to improve security after his son was mugged.

Mr Webster, of Electric Avenue, Westcliff, said David Webster, 13, was threatened by two older boys, who stole his mobile phone in November.

He added: "My boys still play in the park, but after what happened, as soon as it gets dark, they come home.

"The council should be doing more, such as locking the gates at night and making sure the park is lit."

PC Chris Abbott, neighbourhood specialist officer for Chalkwell Park, said officers were increasing patrols. He hoped to start police surgeries next Saturday so residents could voice their concerns.

He said: "While we're in the park, we talk to kids about keeping their phones discreet and showing them the kind of thing which attracts bigger kids, who could see them as an easy target."