Would-be robber flees Hove shop emptyhanded

A man threatened and tried to rob a newsagent in a busy shopping street in Hove.

The would-be robber went into The Associates newsagent in Western Road, Hove, at about 5pm on Wednesday (1 February).

Sussex Police said that he threatened the owner with a weapon and demanded money.

The shopkeeper refused to hand over money and the offender fled, heading east along Western Road before turning into Brunswick Place.

Detective Sergeant Nicholas Chambers, of Brighton and Hove CID, said: “It may be that the offender has gone into a property in Brunswick Place.

“I would ask anyone who saw a man fitting the description walking along Brunswick Place or going into a property to contact police.”

The would-be robber was described as a thinly built white man, about 5ft 8in tall, and aged about 28 to 30 years old.

He was dressed in blue jeans, a dark coat, dark gloves and dark beanie hat with a blue scarf wrapped around his face.

Detectives urged anyone who saw the attempted robbery or someone acting suspiciously in the area shortly before to call Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.