A MAN was told he would be "lying in a pool of blood" if he did not hand over his mobile phone in Loughton.

Police said the victim was walking with friends in Borders Lane at about 8pm on Saturday when the group was approached and chased by a group of 20 youths.

As they ran off the friends were separated and the victim was surrounded by five or six members of the gang.

He was asked for his mobile phone, but said he did not have one.

One of the youths then produced a knife and said: "You've got five seconds or you'll be lying in a pool of blood."

The victim noticed that the other attackers were carrying knives and chains, so handed over his phone, police said.