A MAN apologised to staff as he raided an optometrists and stole a “small quantity of cash”.

The thief, armed with a pair of scissors, told staff he was sorry but claimed he was homeless and desperate at the store in Church Road, Hove.

He entered Taylor-West and Co at 10.20am on Wednesday, November 27, and demanded cash from the till.

He also tried to take a staff member’s phone before fleeing with “a small quantity of cash”.

Police say staff were “very shaken by the ideal”.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on the day of the incident on suspicion of robbery but the force has since eliminated him from the investigation.

The suspect is white, skinny, about 5ft 7in tall and aged in his mid to late twenties.

He had short, dark, receding hair, was unshaven and had black teeth.

Police say the top two were prominent and larger than normal.

He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, dark jeans and black trainers.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 431 of 27/11.

“You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online.”