AN axe wielding robber stole hundreds of pounds from a Canvey convenience store.

The armed man walked up to the cashier at the Nisa Freshways store, in Third Avenue, at about 10pm on Wednesday, May 4 and demanded they hand over the contents of the till.

The terrified shop worker handed over wads of cash to the robber, who was holding up the weapon.

He fled soon after.

Nobody was injured and no attempts were made to swing the axe.

This is the second time in four months that the store has been targeted by an armed robber.

In January, a man armed with a handgun stole hundreds of pounds from the till and ran off towards Third Avenue.

No shots were fired and nobody was injured.

Sgt Mark McQuade, from the Canvey community policing team, is urging shops and supermarkets which are open after dark to install better security measures.

He also believes a member of staff should guard the doorway, and only open up when a customer arrives.

Mr McQuade said: "I have officers down at the store speaking to neighbours and shop workers and reviewing CCTV footage.

"I have speaking to convenience stores and supermarkets open in darkness to consider installing Smart Water cannisters, which can ignite and cover the robber in fluid which glows blue in UV light.

"Our patrols will continue especially in vulnerable areas, but these shops have got to help themselves.

"I would advise shops to lock their doors at night and make sure you can see people before you let them in.

"Because this shop has been targeted twice in four months, the question needs to be asked about whether they have done anything to change their working practises."

An Essex Police spokesman said the robber wore a hooded green raincoat and had his face covered

He said: "We were contacted just after 10pm on Wednesday with reports of a robbery at the Nisa store in Third Avenue, Canvey.

"A man entered the shop armed with an axe and demanded money from the till. He then left with a three-figure sum of cash. No one was injured and no threats were made.

"He is described as wearing a hooded green raincoat and had his face covered."

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The Echo approached the Nisa store but nobody would comment on the robbery.

Any witnesses or anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted via crimestoppers-uk.org.