A VIOLENT robber dragged a barmaid out of a pub and threatened her with a hatchet before stealing at least £100 in cash.

In the attack on June 14 the offender first smashes his way into the The True Crime Museum at White Rock in Hastings at around 7pm. CCTV released by police shows it took the man several minutes to kick the door and use a hatchet to break it open.

He fills bags with electrical items before turning his attention to the Pig in Paradise pub next door.

He smashed his way through the back door but was confronted by the 61-year-old female staff member inside. He forced her to the ground, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her outside of the pub before threatening her with the hatchet and forcing her to hand over more than £100.

The footage shows the offender calmly folding his coat, putting it over his arm and leaving with the cash but ignoring the bags he had taken from the museum. The woman, left on the floor next to the discarded bags, is later seen stirring.

The museum is offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of the culprit.

The robber is described as 5ft 7in, slight with a lean, chiselled face that was not clean shaven. He wore dark blue jeans and a blue bomber jacket, a blue woollen hat, light coloured trainers and woollen gloves during the attack.

Detective sergeant Paul Graham said it was "terrifying" for the victim and officers were determined to find the man responsible.

Anyone with information or who may have seen a man acting suspiciously near the pub or by the fire escape in Prospect Place should call police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting 1415 of June 14.