A straw hat-wearing robber made off with £12,000 after threatening a woman with a knife.

Police are appealing for information following the theft yesterday outside Pizza Express in St Runwald Street, Colchester.

The woman, who runs an agency housing foreign nationals and students, had drawn the cash from the Abbey bank in High Street, when the man approached her at 3.45pm.

She was sitting in her silver Renault Scenic car with the money on the front passenger seat when he leaned in the window, produced the knife and demanded she hand it over.

The man is then thought to have got into a green vehicle and made off towards Stockwell Street.

The man was in his 40s or 50s and wore a straw hat, khaki trousers and a red shirt.

Information to Colchester police on 01206 762212.

Published Thursday August 19, 2004

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