Masked robbers snatched cash from an off licence after threatening a member of staff.

Last night's raid in Hove was the latest in a string of hold-ups at convenience stores and off licences. The two men entered Threshers, in Woodland Drive, at 9.40pm and put what is thought to have been a handgun to the back of the male cashier.

They stole cash from a safe and till before running out of the rear of the shop and along Hill Brow. Both men are 5ft 5ins, slim, and with dark hair. One wore a three-quarter-length dark jacket and dark trousers. The other had on a long-sleeve sweatshirt.

Last week, a female assistant suffered a broken nose when three men burst into a shop in Hangleton Way, Hove. They grabbed the woman and punched her a number of times before forcing her at knifepoint to lie on the floor. The robbers, all wearing stocking masks, took cash, cigarettes and alcohol before running off.

And on Sunday a cashier was threatened at knifepoint by a robber who grabbed the contents of the till at Cullens in Church Road, Hove. Earlier in the weekend, two men armed with what appeared to be a handgun, grabbed cash from Unwins off licence in Boundary Road, Hove.

A number of other convenience stores in Hove have been raided recently. Witnesses to last night's raid, or anyone with information about the robberies, should call Hove CID on 0845 6070999.

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