POLICE in Southampton are hunting knife-wielding robbers who carried out two vicious crimes just 18 hours apart.

A masked man wearing bright yellow gloves stole cash from Oakley Road Store in Shirley after walking into the shop and telling staff to stuff money into an orange bag.

Armed with a large kitchen knife, he escaped with about £100 after running down the street and leaping over a gate.

The robbery at 7am on Wednesday came just hours after a pedestrian was robbed at knifepoint in a separate incident in Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton.

A man was walking along the street at 1.30am on Tuesday when he was confronted a mugger who stole his wallet and mobile phone.

The terrifying incident left the 29-year-old victim shocked but unhurt.

The two crimes, which are not being linked, come four months after knives, axes and a throwing star were among the weapons handed in to police during a month-long knife amnesty in Southampton and other parts of the county.

Detectives investigating the Oakley Road robber say the culprit fled on foot and climbed over a gate in nearby Percy Road.

As well as yellow gloves he was wearing a black hat with eye holes that was pulled down over his face, a blue hip-length jacket, light grey jogging bottoms and black Nike trainers with white soles.

Detective Constable Mark Bradley said: “This incident took place in the morning so there may have been people around who witnessed it.

“We have been given quite a detailed description of the man responsible.

“We’d like to hear from anyone who saw a man matching this description either before or after the crime, particularly in the Percy Road area as the store owner saw him standing at the junction with this road prior to the incident.”

Police are also anxious to hear from anyone who finds a pair of yellow Marigold-type gloves in their garden or in the area where the robbery took place.

The knifeman involved in the other robbery is described as black, in his mid to late 20s, 5ft 6in, and of a slim and toned build. He may have had a goatee beard.

Police need to hear from anyone who recognises the description or who was in the Imperial Road area at the time and saw something suspicious.