A HAMPSHIRE restaurant manager has told how he was threatened at knifepoint during a raid.

David Hawkins and his staff were told they would be stabbed if they did not hand over cash.

The manager at Rocco’s Pizza in The Marsh, Hythe was working with four other staff members when a hooded man came into the shop, got out a bladed article and demanded cash from the till.

Initially, the robber - who eventually fled empty handed - shouted at a16-year-old who was taking orders in the shop.

Nobody in the shop suspected anything was wrong when the man came in with his head covered because on Sunday August 20, the night in question, it was raining.

Mr Hawkins said: “It was coming to the end of our shift and near closing time.

“I heard a bit of commotion in the front and then saw the guy with a hood up pointing his knife.”

He added: “He then made the threat ‘if you don’t give me the money I will come over there and stab you’ - for some of the younger guys it was pretty worrying.”

After the robber was told he would not receive any money from the shop’s till, Mr Hawkins’ fellow manager Tom Brown quickly went to notify workers at Dominos Pizza, a few doors down, about what had happened.

When he arrived, the suspect was there.

“It seems like he kind of composed himself before he went into Dominos,” Mr Hawkins said.

“Thankfully everybody here was ok, but unfortunately the girl later was not.”

On the same night, a 20-year-old woman - who was walking along a footpath by Sir Christopher Court - was threatened by a man carrying a knife.

In fear for her safety, she handed over cash from her wallet.

Police confirmed they are linking the incidents and believe the same man was involved in each of them.

He has been described as aged in his late teens or early 20s, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins, and wearing a dark jacket or hoodie.

Hampshire Constabulary has since released an e-fit of the man they want to speak in connection with the incidents.

Detective Constable Neail Potter said: “Do you recognise the person in the E-fit? Did you see anyone of this description acting suspiciously in the area at this time?

“If you feel you have any information to assist us at all, then please get in touch.”