POLICE searching for an armed robber over ten raids are pleading with the public to identify him.

Sussex Police now believe two earlier raids are linked to a string of gunpoint robberies in Lancing and Worthing in the past two months.

Officers had arrested two suspects in connection with a number of the robberies but they had been released on bail prior to the two most recent attacks - in which takeaway staff in Lancing were held up at gunpoint in terrifying ordeals.

Detective Inspector Alan Pack last night urged anyone in the local community who knew the identity of the robber to hand them in.

He said: "The suspects in each of these robberies has a similar description and a hand gun is a particularly rare thing in Worthing

"Our enquiries would suggest that this person is local to the area.

"I think it is unlikely that the people who have committed these ten robberies will hand themselves in, but they will have friends and acquaintances in the community.

"Someone out there knows who they are."

Det Insp Pack would not speculate on the desperation of the robbers or their possible motives - but said residents should not to be scared.

He refused to say whether the two suspects previously arrested had been spoken to or located by police in the wake of the latest robberies.

He said extra police patrols were being put into place across Worthing and Lancing - but would not disclose how many extra officers were being used and said none would be from the force's dedicated firearm's unit.

Det Insp Pack said a 22-year-old man from Lancing arrested on suspicion of robbery in relation to the incidents in Orme Road, Seadown Parade and Rowlands Road and a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery in relation to the incident in Sompting had not been re-arrested as a result of the latest raids on Uncle Sam's and Pizza Hut in Lancing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Zinger. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

TIMELINE OF TERRIFYING ATTACKS AT GUN AND KNIFE POINT

1 Orme Road, Worthing, August 1, midnight Taxi driver threatened with knife then member of public who went to assist had cash stolen.

2 Orme Road, Worthing, August 1, midday Man attempted to rob another man using the cash machine in George V Avenue, Worthing.

3 Orme Road, Worthing, August 8, A taxi driver was threatened with a knife.

4 Mini Market, Seadown Parade, Sompting, August 13, A man with a gun demanded cash and cigarettes at 10.15pm.

5 Ladbrokes, Rowlands Road, Worthing, August 18, At 8pm a man pointed a black handgun at staff and got away with £70.

6 Railway Approach, Worthing, August 20, Two people approached by a man who demanded money, threatening them with a knife.

7 The Broadway News and Gifts, A259 Brighton Road near The Steyne, Worthing, August 22, Early morning raid sees man with handgun grab cash float at 5.30am –but he drops it and flees.

8 Spar, Heene Road, Worthing, August 29, A man threatened staff with a gun, grabbing £200.

9 Uncle Sam’s, Crabtree Lane, Lancing, September 14, A man pointed a gun at staff and took £50 before fleeing at 11.15pm.

10 Pizza Hut, North Road, Lancing, September 18, In what is believed to be the biggest haul yet, two robbers came in at 9pm and held a gun to a cashier’s head before taking £1,000.