A PAIR of love birds were left in shock after a gang of men robbed them at knife-point.

Police are to step up patrols at Coal House Fort where a couple in their 20s were threatened with a six inch kitchen knife by five black men in the second armed robbery at the Fort since July.

The man and woman, from the Tilbury area, were forced to hand over jewellery, a mobile phone, and an MP3 player at around 11pm last Thursday.

Police are investigating if the robbery was connected to a second one that took place at the Fort on July 3.

Investigating officer Det Con Paul Jones said: "We are looking closely at both incidents. There is every possibility that these men are targeting people who visit Coal House Fort in the late evenings. We desperately want to find them before they strike again."

The vehicle used in the July 3 robbery is said to be a black MG Rover ZR. Anyone with information is asked to call Grays Police on 01375 319212.