Police hunt two men in connection with '˜frightening' robbery

Sussex Police said the two men approached a 33-year-old man at about 6.45am on December 12, at the junction of Edward Street and Mount Pleasant, and one of them asked him for a cigarette. The man replied no and continued walking to his flat. But officers said as he got near the entrance, they approached him again and demanded to be let into the block of flats. When he refused, they grabbed him and threw him to the floor and threatened him.

One of the suspects reportedly produced a screwdriver and pointed it towards the victim, who handed over his mobile phone and wallet containing cash and his bank cards. Both suspects then walked the man down Mount Pleasant and into Devonshire Place towards a cash point. He then ran off back towards Edward Street and flagged down a member of the public who called police.

The men were captured on CCTV using one of the bank cards to buy goods in the Local Star newsagent in Edward Street about 20 minutes later, according to police.

The first man is described as black aged about 30, six foot tall, of muscular build, with a dark stubble beard and was wearing a black woolly hat, a long black jacket with dark jeans. The second man is white, aged about 24, skinny and was wearing a black woolly hat, a hooded jacket and a black scarf around his face.

Detective Constable Shirley White said: “If anyone recognises the two men caught on CCTV using the stolen bank card, then please get in touch. This was a frightening ordeal for the victim and we are keen to know who this pair are.”

Anyone with information or any witnesses should report online here quoting serial 52 of 12/12.