A ROBBER who punched and kicked two restaurant workers before stealing the night’s takings, is still being hunted by police.

As reported yesterday, the thief snatched more than £1,000 in cash from the pair during the early morning attack, which left one of the victims needing hospital treatment.

The workers had just cashed up and closed the Kuti’s restaurant in Fair Oak Road, Fair Oak, when they were approached in the street at around 1.15am yesterday.

As they got to Stamford Way a man asked them if they had any cigarettes.

The pair ignored him, but he followed them to Dean Road, where he punched and kicked both of them and grabbed the takings they were carrying with them. He ran off towards Allington Lane.

Police haven’t revealed the exact amount of cash taken, but it is understood to have been more than £1,000.

They have stepped up patrols in the area and were yesterday carrying out door-to-door inquiries, while detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the area to get in touch.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Wiseman said the workers said they saw two men in their early 20s sitting on a bench outside the restaurant as they locked up, and he is especially keen to trace them.

He said: “This was an unprovoked attack on two members of staff, one whom has ended up being admitted to Southampton General Hospital with a cut to his face which required treatment.

“I am particularly keen to hear from any members of the public who were in or around the Fair Oak Road in the early hours of Sunday morning and saw this robbery or anyone acting suspiciously in the area.”

The robber is described as white, aged between 20 and 22 years old, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 9in, of slim to medium build and wearing a dark blue hooded top Anyone with any information should call Eastleigh CID on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.