A man who tried to rob a Frinton jewellers at knifepoint before making a blundering getaway was today still on the loose.

Police were hunting the armed robber who threatened staff at HBJ Jewellers, in Connaught Avenue, but left empty-handed.

The man was chased by cars and bystanders as he drove away from the scene on Saturday morning.

The robber had gone into the jewellers at about 9.20am carrying a silver knife and threatened the assistants.

A scuffle broke out between the robber and a member of staff, who suffered superficial cuts to his hands from a shattered glass counter.

The robber ran off empty-handed and got into a blue Ford Sierra car, which was parked nearby.

Det Con Stephen Jennings said: "The man was chased for some distance along the road. We are still unsure at the moment how many people followed him."

The car continued with its bonnet up, before skidding across the road and stopping by Pollendines garage.

The robber fled towards the railway line on foot

Published Monday October 14, 2002

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