A SHOP assistant was punched by a would-be robber.

The 18-year-old from Barking, who works at Thurrock's Lakeside Shopping Centre, was sitting on a wall outside the complex during a break.

He was approached by a man who asked to use the victim's phone. When the teenager refused and began to walk off the thug punched him in the side of the head.

The victim managed to get away before he was robbed.

His attacker is described as white, aged around 22, 6ft tall, with cropped brown hair and a Chinese symbol tattooed on the side of his head.

Witnesses to the attack, which happened at 4pm on Wednesday September 26, are asked to contact police at Grays on 01375 391212.