POLICE are carrying out a week-long operation aimed at “bringing Hullbridge back to normality” after a gunpoint robbery resulted in a man’s death.

Timothy Smith suffered a fatal head injury when he was pushed to the ground outside a house in The Drive, Hullbridge, on Sunday evening.

The 57-year-old, who owned building suppliers Doors, Floors and Stairparts, in London Road, Pitsea, was knocked unconscious after hitting his head on a wall on the driveway as he grappled with the raiders.

Mr Smith was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for treatment where he died on Monday.

In the aftermath of the attack, police are seeking to reassure residents in the Hullbridge community, who have been left in shock by the vicious attack.

Sgt Mark McQuade, from the Castle Point and Rochford community policing team, said that an “engagement initiative” codenamed Operation Pilgrim 2, has been launched and is expected to last for the next week. More officers will be patrolling and volunteers will be stationed in supermarkets and post offices to offer advice.

Mr McQuade said: “We’ll be focusing on the area of Hullbridge and Hockley to help make people feel a bit safer. There is no trend of this - it is an isolated incident. It’s really to bring the community back to some sort of normality. We will be setting up beat surgeries in the community and will be as visible as possible.”

  • A 50-year-old man, from Southend, was arrested in Berkshire yesterday morning on suspicion of murder, robbery and possession of a firearm. Last night he was in custody awaiting questioning.