Man's car was damaged before 'stab' threat in Preston Park

Scott Elliott, 49, confronted a man who used a crutch and his fist to dent the bonnet of his car in Stanford Avenue.

Scott says that after he confronted the man and took a photo of his face he “threatened to stab” him.

Scott's car which was damaged by the stranger.

Sussex Police confirmed a report of the incident, which happened on March 5, had been received.

Scott said: “I feel if this is the way that society is going and this is the action of the police then we’re in for a rough ride. I saw him do it, I have a picture of his face, he threatens to pull a knife out and my son is alone upstairs.

“It feels like they’re not bothered. What happened was frightening.

The man left three dents in his car's bonnet

“I went outside and followed him to take a picture of him, he went to pull a hoodie over his face. He was with a woman and said to her ‘give me the knife, I’m going to stab the c***’.

“So then I backed right off back towards my gate, then he came back down the street. He had a crutch, a packet of crisps and a cigarette in his mouth.

“Then I saw something in his jacket flash so I turned back again, I told the police I wasn’t going to hang around to see if it was a knife or not but I saw something flashing.

“I felt vulnerable because my son was indoors and I do feel because of the police’s lack of action I don’t feel safe. I moved to Brighton in the last five years because how brilliant it is but the police haven’t made me feel safe at all.

Scott estimates the damage will cost about £1,000

“I thought I was doing the good community thing by taking the picture of him. I reckon it’s £1,000 of damage to my car.

“I haven’t taken the car anywhere yet, as far as I’m concerned I’m going to have to pay for it myself.”

The man was wearing a grey tracksuit, navy blue hat, Vans bag, a crutch in his left arm and a packet of crisps in the other.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “On Saturday afternoon March 5, officers responded to a report that a man, accompanied by a woman, had hit the bonnet of a parked car in Stanford Avenue, Brighton, causing two dents, and had then threatened to stab the car owner before walking off.

“Before doing so the man and the woman appeared to exchange a silver object but no weapon was actually seen.

“The area was searched, house to house enquiries were made, local CCTV checked, and photos of the suspect were circulated to all police officers. The victim has been kept updated about police enquiries.

“So far the man has not been identified but anyone with information can contact the police, either online at https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/ or by calling 101, quoting serial 583 of 05/03.”