A TEENAGE boy admitted seven counts of robbery, when he wielded a knife, at Lakeside in Thurrock when he appeared before Colchester Magistrates Court.

The 15-year-old from Southend pleaded guilty to the charges following an investigation by detectives from Essex Police.

It follows incidents of robbery reported at the West Thurrock complex in November and December last year.

He has been released on conditional bail and will appear before Southend Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 7 May.

Detective Inspector Richard Trower said: "After a thorough investigation, a 15-year-old has pleaded guilty to multiple knifepoint robberies at Lakeside Shopping Centre.

"We work hard to ensure that everyone is safe at Lakeside, whether they come to shop, work or have a night out.

"Therefore identifying and bringing this offender to justice has been a vital piece of police work.

"Reports of robbery are taken extremely seriously and we will take action to ensure anyone who commits these offences will be brought to justice."