Teenage girl robbed at knifepoint in Hove street

A 17-year-old girl has been robbed at knifepoint in a street in Hangleton.

Four men grabbed her and held a knife to her throat in Rowan Avenue as she walked up to Hangleton Road, Hove.

They told her to hand over her phone and money and threatened to stab her. They took cash from her purse.

The victim, an Italian student, had just walked through the twitten, or alleyway, from Knoll Park to Rowan Avenue before she was mugged.

Detective Constbale Caroline Gridley said: “The victim was clearly terrified and thought she was going to be killed. Thankfully she was unhurt.”

The suspects were all described as white.

One was described as about 5ft 9in tall and of muscular build. He was wearing a grey hooded top with the hood up and a black and white Arabian scarf pulled up to cover his mouth and nose. He spoke with an English accent.

The second was slightly shorter and had a similar build. He was wearing a green hooded top and a red and black Arabian scarf, which was also pulled up to cover his mouth and nose, and he had white and red Nike Air Jordan trainers.

The third man was about 5ft 7in tall, of skinny build, with green eyes and dark eyebrows. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up and a black and white Arabian scarf which was again pulled up covering his face. He had a very spotty forehead and smelled of cannabis.

The fourth man was wearing a black hooded top.

The robbery happened at about 8pm on Wednesday 23 October.

Detective Constable Gridley added: “We think someone might recognise this group from the distinctive clothing and descriptions.

“If you were in the area that evening or if you have any other information, please contact us.”

Anyone with information can ring Sussex Police on 101, email contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.