POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a robbery at Lakeside Regional Shopping Centre this afternoon (Monday, 28 November). 

Officers were called to the Apple Store around 12.20pm following reports of a robbery. Five, male suspects entered the store and assaulted a security guard before stealing £15,000 worth of phones. 

Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage. 

A police statement says: "We are appealing to anyone who was in the shopping centre at the time and may have any information which could assist with our enquiries to contact us. 

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

"Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to 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 @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

"Please quote incident 42/289579/22 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible."