DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed at knifepoint in Cliftonville, near Margate. The 49-year-old man had just taken money from a cashpoint in Northdown Road when a man approached him with a kitchen knife, and demanded money.

The victim handed him £10, but was told it wasn’t enough. When he explained he could get no more from the machine, the attacker forced him to walk to another cashpoint nearby.

As they passed a taxi office, a member of staff came out and asked if the victim was all right. He shook his head and the attacker walked off towards Margate. CCTV tapes are being checked.

The attacker was in his early to mid 30s, about 6ft tall with stubble, and glasses.

He was wearing a long tan coloured trenchcoat, dark trousers or jeans and a woollen cap, pulled down low to hide his face.

A police spokeswoman said: “Obviously, it was very lucky that the taxi worker intervened when he did. The victim was not hurt, but we would ask anyone with information to contact DC Ray Butterwick on Thanet 222024.”