A robber who threatens his victims with a syringe at cashpoints has struck again.

Police are stepping up their hunt for the man who they believe has carried out a series of similar robberies. People are being warned to be on their guard.

He targets his victims as they withdraw money from cashpoint machines late at night.

Among them was an off-duty policewoman who was told the syringe contained infected blood.

The latest robbery happened at the NatWest Bank's cashpoint in Tisbury Road, Hove, around midnight on Thursday.

A 29-year-old woman had stopped on her way home to withdraw some money.

She noticed a tall man with blond hair sitting on a bicycle between nearby parked cars.

He came up behind her as she got the cash and pulled out a syringe.

The suspect threatened her with it and demanded that she hand over the money.

The terrified victim handed over £40 and her bank card. The man cycled off towards Blatchington Road.

She asked five people standing at the nearby bus stop outside Hove town hall for help.

They alerted police who searched the area but were unable to find the cyclist.

The victim's bank card was used in an unsuccessful attempt to withdraw money from another cashpoint a short time later.

Detectives are examining footage from nearby street and shop security cameras to try to identify the suspect.

The robbery follows a similar incident involving an off-duty policewoman at the same cashpoint in April.

She was threatened with a syringe as she stopped to get some money.

Inspector Julie Wakeford said at the time: "He said it was filled with blood infected with Hepatitis B.

"He told her that he would use it unless she handed over her money.

"She made it clear that he was not getting it and he ran off towards The Drive."

A month earlier a female taxi driver was threatened with a syringe after she picked up a fare.

The suspect got into her cab in East Street, Brighton, on March 29, and asked to be taken to Hove.

He pulled a syringe out and demanded her takings after she pulled up in Furze Hill. The man chased her down the street as she fled from her cab.

Police are looking at the possibility that the incidents are linked.

Detective Sergeant Ian Still appealed for anyone with information to call him or Detective Constable Dawn Page.

Mr Still said: "At the moment it is too early to say for certain that it is the same man. It is always possible that more than one person was involved in these incidents.

"We need to hear from anyone who thinks they might know who is responsible."

Anyone with information should phone Hove police on 0845 6070999.