Police detectives have launched an appeal to try and track two men suspected of robbery.

Detectives are hunting two men who tried to rob a 38-year-old man who was walking along East Thurrock Road, on the evening of Saturday June 6 at about 9.35pm. 

The victim, who was walking along East Thurrock Road near to the junction with Thomas Road, in Grays, was approached by two men.

One of the men threatened the victim with a knife before demanding he hand over his mobile phone. 

The two men fled the scene empty-handed when they saw a police car approaching.

The police have released an e-fit image of one of the suspects they are trying to trace. Both suspects are described as black men.

One is of athletic build, aged between 20 to 30, wore a black top, black tracksuit bottoms with stripes, black trainers and a silver cap with the "NY” logo on the front.

His accomplice had shoulder-length dreadlocks with beads in the bottom, was aged between 20 and 25, wore a grey-top three-quarter length trousers and red trainers.

Witnesses to the attempted robbery can contact detectives at Grays CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.