A serial knife-wielding robber is believed to have struck for a fifth time in six days.
A woman, 58, had her person stolen last night in Hove Park Villas, Hove, at about 6.30pm.
The robber went up to the woman and threatened her with a knife and told her to hand over her purse.
He ran off towards Ranelagh Villas.
Detective Inspector Ian Still said: “We believe last night’s robbery is connected to four recent street robberies in the Brighton and Hove area.
“Patrols have been increased in the area and we would advise people to please be vigilant and if approached by the offender to not put themselves in any danger by refusing to hand over their belongings and try to call 999 as soon as they can.”
The suspect is described as a white man of medium build and between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall.
He spoke with a local accent and in each incident his face has been covered with a dark scarf.
Four robberies have taken place in Brighton from the early hours of Thursday (27 January) to early on Sunday evening (30 January).
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.