A baker opening up shop was robbed at knifepoint this morning in the heart of Brighton’s North Laine.
At about 7.15am the woman opening for business at The Flour Pot baker’s shop in Sydney Street, Brighton, was confronted by a man armed with a kitchen knife who grabbed her and demanded money.
He escaped with a quantity of cash, leaving the woman. 25, badly shaken but otherwise unhurt. He made off on foot, running down Sydney Street towards Trafalgar Street.
He was described as a white man, 5ft 8in, of medium to stocky build. He was wearing a thin-material light blue hooded tracksuit with black drawstrings.
The hood partially hid his face, but he was seen to be wearing spectacles with thick lenses set in rectangular frames
Police were on the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised and are now searching for the suspect. Forensic evidence is also being sought.
Detective Sergeant Chris Lane, of Brighton CID, said: “The weather at the time was awful and it was raining heavily.
“We suspect the offender may be local and would appeal to anyone who had a friend or family member returning home this morning, soaking wet and wearing such a tracksuit, to contact us.”
They or anyone else who saw anything suspicious in the area or who may have other information are asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 160 of 13/1.
Alternatively they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
