DESPITE recent assurances that Lakeside Shopping Centre is a safe place to visit, another young person has been assaulted and his bag stolen.

However. there was a rapid response to the aftermath of the crime and police have arrested three other teenagers.

An Essex Police statement says: "A 14 year-old boy was assaulted and had a bag stolen at Puttshack at the Lakeside shopping centre at around 7.05pm on Friday (5 January).

"Three teenage boys – a 15 year-old and a 16 year-old from London and a 17 year-old from East Tilbury – were arrested a short time later on suspicion of robbery.

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote the crime reference number 42/2640/24.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.