Armed robber threatens Hove shopkeeper with knife

A thief robbed a shop assistant at knifepoint in Hove on Wednesday night (11 December).

The man walked into the Premier convenience store in Sackville Road at about 10.15pm on Wednesday wearing a black motorcycle helmet and yellow high-visibility jacket.

He threatened the shop assistant with a knife but the worker refused to open the till and instead set off the store’s alarm.

The armed robber filled a bag with bottles of alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco and then ran out the back of the shop and into Conway Place to escape.

The shop worker chased the thief into Coleridge Street but he got away.

The thief was described as 5ft 8in to 6ft tall and of medium build.

Detective Constable Sophie Tullett said: “We would like to speak to anyone who was in the Sackville Road area near the Premier store when the robbery happened.

“If you saw or heard anything, recognise the description of the thief or saw someone acting suspiciously outside the store before the robbery, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.