Pub regulars chase knife raiders

Three men, armed with a tyre wrench and knives, burst into David's News and Stores in Goldstone Street, Hove, just before 7pm on Saturday.

They threatened assistant James Lankester, 23, before making a grab for the till.

A customer reading magazines ran outside and alerted a group drinking at The Exchange pub.

He shouted for someone to call the police but four have-a-go heroes decided to catch the gang themselves.

The brave men dashed outside and tried to catch the robbers in the act.

The trio fled, snatching cash and phone cards.

The regulars gave chase and the robbers split up, with two jumping into a car parked nearby and driving off.

The other was followed on foot by Mr Lankester. But the thief escaped after threatening to stab him.

Mr Lankester, who also works in the pub, said: "At first I just thought it was some of the guys from across the road having a laugh.

"Then one of the men pushed me to the ground and threatened me with the wheel brace and another said he would stab me."

Mr Lankester joined the chase after the pub regulars had scared off the crooks.

He said: "I chased and caught up with one of them but he threatened to stab me so I backed off.

"The guys in the pub are all really good friends and if they hadn't had come across I don't know what would have happened."

David Fraser, 37, who has owned the newsagents for five years, praised the men for their swift actions.

He said: "The gang was only in the shop for a few seconds and the guys nearly caught them. It could have been a lot worse.

"It was a very brave thing to do. They just acted instinctively.

"All the men are regular customers at the shop and this shows the community spirit we have in this area."

The Exchange's landlady Sarah Howse, 24, also paid tribute the to men.

She said: "The guys didn't even think twice about it. I have never seen them move so fast.

"It's quite a close community round here and everyone knows each other and sticks up for each other."