Detectives are trying to trace a woman who is believed to have been hurt during a street robbery in the centre of Brighton.
She is believed to have been an innocent bystander who was hit as the mugging victim chased the robber to try to retrieve his stolen laptop computer.
The thief attacked a 47-year-old local man in the Old Steine near Taj at the bottom of St James’s Street.
He pulled the back of the victim’s coat over his head, punched him and pulled him to the ground before running off with his laptop.
The victim tried to chase the thief into Edward Street and was helped by members of the public and an off-duty detective constable who arrested the man.
The computer was recovered after the chase which happened at about 5.30pm on Thursday (25 November).
Now police are trying to track down the woman passer-by who is believed to have been struck in the body during the chase.
She was last seen sitting on the pavement near Edward Street.
Detective Sergeant Julian Deans said: “We would like this woman to come forward so that we can be certain that she is all right.
“She may also be able to help the inquiry.”
He asked her to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.
* Dennis Blake, 34, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton, has been charged with robbery and will appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court today (Saturday 27 November).
