Two commuters were threatened by an attacker holding a knife within minutes of each other close to a busy train station.

The incidents took place on Friday (February 3) evening in areas near Debden Underground station in Loughton.

A 42-year-old man got off a train at the station and was walking in an alleyway off Schoolhouse Gardens at around 6.15pm when he was approached by the suspect.

Brandishing a knife, he demanded the man hand over his wallet.

However, the victim struck the suspect with his umbrella and he ran off empty handed into Lucton Mews, towards a nearby field.

He was described as aged in his late teens to early 20s, black, about 6ft tall and of medium build.

He wore a black hooded top with the hood up, a grey scarf covering his face and dark coloured tracksuit bottoms.

Shortly afterwards at around 6.50pm, a 34-year-old man who had also just left Debden station was approached by a man with a knife in Cedar Drive.

The suspect demanded his black leather Mulberry wallet and ran off with it.

He was described as being of mixed heritage, aged about 17 or 18 years old, of slight build, with black curly hair. His face was covered and he wore a dark hooded top.

Detectives believe the two incidents are linked and are appealing for witnesses who saw what happened or saw the suspect at the train station around the time of the incidents.

They would also like to speak to anyone who has CCTV footage covering these areas.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Loughton CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555111.