A GANG of children threatened to set their pit bull on a woman in a terrifying street robbery.

The victim, in her mid-thirties, was walking in Gun Hill Place, Basildon, in the dark when she was surrounded by the gang and their dog.

One child demanded she hand over her mobile phone. When she refused, the gang, one of whom was a boy as young as 11, told her to hand it over or they would let the pit bull off the lead and let it maul her.

The terrified victim gave up the phone – a Samsung Galaxy Note three – and the youngsters ran off.

Sgt Angie Torrance, from Basildon police station, is appealing for anyone with information about the robbery, at 6.50pm on Monday, to come forward.

She said: “A lone female has been intimidated by this group and must have felt very shaken as a result.

“We are treating this very seriously and are confident someone will recognise the distinctive descriptions. We urge members of the public to contact Basildon police, even if they wish to remain anonymous.”

The first gang member is a white girl, aged between 15 and 16. She was slim, with red hair pulled back off her face.

The victim described her as wearing a lot of make-up.

The second robber was a white boy aged between 11 and 15.

The third suspect was a skinny white boy, aged between 15 and 16 and about 5ft 7ins. He was walking a dirty, grey-coloured pit bull terrier on a red lead.

Anyone with information can call Basildon police station on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.