A 63-year-old man was robbed in the centre of Brighton at the weekend.
The victim was pulled around by the shoulder by one of three men in the Royal Pavilion Gardens, threatened with what appeared to be a knife and robbed.
The Brighton man was by the flower beds near the gate at the north end when the mugging happened.
The thieves made off through the north gate with the victim’s shopping trolley which contained a laptop and clothes.
Detective Sergeant Helen Paine, from Brighton and Hove CID, said: “The victim was so shook up by this incident that he was unable to report it to police until the following afternoon.
“Fortunately he was not physically injured but nonetheless he is very shaken.
“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and saw or heard any suspicious activity to please get in touch.”
All three suspects were described as white, aged in their twenties and of muscular build.
The suspect who threatened the victim and grabbed his shopping trolley had short light brown hair swept slightly to one side. He was wearing a black cotton jacket, which was open, with a light-coloured t-shirt underneath and blue tattered jeans.
The suspect who was holding what appeared to be a knife, was wearing a denim short-sleeved jacket and jeans. The third offender was wearing a t-shirt and trousers.
Witnesses can call Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
