This was the terrifying moment shop cashier Colette Starr came face-to-face with a knife-wielding robber.

These pictures were released by police in the hope of stopping the raider before he strikes again.

Detective Constable Ian Thompson, of Hove CID, said: "We believe the same man was responsible for a similar robbery the next day when he grabbed a cashier round the throat and held a blade to her face.

"The level of violence has increased each time and we are concerned the next time someone might get injured or worse.

"We consider this man dangerous and we would urge anyone recognising him to call us immediately."

Miss Starr, 29, described the raider as "ice cool", softly spoken, polite but extremely menacing.

He apologised to her as he left but if she hadn't done exactly what he told her she believes he would have hurt her.

Miss Starr was working at Unwins off-licence in Kingsway, Hove, just before 9pm when the man first came in to check out the store.

He returned an hour later and pounced just after the last customer had left.

He produced a knife and told Miss Starr: "I've come here to rob you. Open the till."

Miss Stark said: "I just surrendered and did as he said. I told him, 'I'd rather you help yourself than do me harm'."

She said the man knew he was being filmed by a security camera but told her "I don't give a s***" before leaving. He turned and said "sorry" as he disappeared through the door.

Miss Starr said she was calm during the raid but as soon as the man left she broke down in tears. She said: "I think this man is very dangerous and I hope someone recognises him from the pictures and puts a stop to him."

The offender is 20 to 30, slim, about 5ft 6in and has short cropped mousey-coloured hair.

Security camera pictures were taken the next day of the same man robbing staff at an Unwins off licence in High Street, Uckfield.

The cashier, a mother-of-three, feared for her life when the raider held a knife to her face.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the robber should contact Mr Thompson at Hove CID on 0845 6070999.