POLICE warned people to be wary of using expensive phones in public following a spate of street robberies.

Officers are receiving reports of at least one mugging a day in Southend, Rochford, and Castle Point and have stepped up patrols.

A total of 35 robberies were committed last month, a rise on the 23 carried out in May last year.

In many cases, a knife was used to threaten the victims.

The main target has been vulnerable teenagers, who have expensive mobile phones or iPods on show.

Chief Insp Dave Colwell, district commander for Southend, said they were largely focusing on parks and other hotspots.

He said: “We often patrol these areas.

“We have high-visibility policing with PCSOs and neighbourhood policing teams. We have also done some work around the schools, where we’ve tried to educate young people about their own safety.”

One of the hotspots has been around Chalkwell Park, where two robberies were committed in April, and a stabbing in May.

A 14-year-old schoolboy was mugged in the area around the park, while an 18-year-old had a knife pressed against his back in nearby Chalkwell Avenue.

Both had mobile phones stolen. Three teenage boys have been arrested in connection with these robberies and bailed.

The stabbing happened at the public toilets outside the park, where a 22-year-old man was repeatedly slashed. However, the motive appears to have been different, as nothing was stolen.

Albert Wallace, chairman of Chalkwell Ward Residents’ Association, said: “We are very concerned about serious crime being committed in and around Chalkwell park and along the London Road.

“We welcome any extra patrols, but what we would welcome most is the people responsible caught. That’s what we want them to do.”

A gang of five robbers has also been operating around Greensward Academy, in Hockley. They stole phones from four teenagers at about 3.15pm last Wednesday, pressing one victim up against the wall to make their threats.

Chief Insp Colwell said: “Around parks and open spaces people need to be mindful of displaying expensive electrical equipment, such as phones and iPods.

“These iPhones are particularly expensive, worth about £400 to £500, and there’s a market where they can sell these phones.

“People generally commit this crime against younger people who are very vulnerable. They need to be aware of their own personal safety in such places, leaving phones around and having them on display.”