Hunt for knifeman in robbery bid

The victim, a 72-year-old local man, was parking his car on John Street behind the Murco garage when a man carrying a knife approached him.

The man demanded he hand over his car keys, but the pensioner refused and while struggling to disarm the offender, the victim sustained a cut to his hand.

The offender walked away and according to witnesses was seen shortly after speaking to a man and woman with a pushchair in All Saints’ Square in Rotherham town centre.

Just before the incident, which happened at 4pm on February 16, the offender was seen speaking to a man at a bus stop opposite the old Millmoor football ground.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 25 and 35 years old, approximately 6ft tall with a medium build and has a shaven head.

His face appeared to have marks similar to acne scars, especially on his cheeks and he was wearing a waist length black jacket, blue jeans and white trainers.

Det Con Gary Luckock said: “The victim was taken to hospital and received stitches for the cut to his hand.

“The offender did not just have this weapon for show and he did not care at all about hurting an elderly man while trying to steal his car. I would urge anyone with information, or knows who carried out this crime to call the police straight away.”

If you have information about this incident, or can identify the man seen in the CCTV stills, please call DC Gary Luckock, Rotherham CID, on: 01142 20 20 20, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.