TWO people were robbed at knifepoint on the streets of Newton Abbot late last night.

The tooled-up predator struck twice within half-an-hour - first in Collett Way just before 10pm and then in Brunel Road.

Both victims were threatened by the attacker brandishing a knife.

In the Collett Way hold-up he demanded a bag, which was not taken. But the armed offender did snatch a Samsung Galaxy 4 mobile phone.

About 25 minutes later a man was targeted in the same violent manner in nearby Brunel Road where again a knife was used.

This time the culprit took his victim’s wallet before fleeing into the night with his spoils.

It’s thought both incidents are probably linked because of the time, place and similar method of threatened violence, although yesterday detectives have not yet been able to confirm a definitive connection.

A police spokesman said inquiries into both matters were continuing with an appeal for witnesses to come forward.

No description has been issued of the Collett Way attacker.

A police spokesman said: ‘The victim was threatened with a knife to hand over a bag which was not taken, but it was searched.’

The spokesman at police headquarters in Exeter added: ‘There were no injuries, but the victim was shaken up.’

The confrontation between robber and robbed happened just before 10pm with police being called to the scene moments later.

They returned to the area of the crime about 25 minutes later when a similar matter was reported to them in Brunel Road just a few yards away.

This time the victim was able to tell officers that the offender wore a dark hoody and jeans.

The police spokesman said: ‘There were no injuries to the victim - but his wallet was stolen.’

Anyone with information about the crimes, or with knowledge of who the knifeman might be, should contact police on 101.

They should quote crime CR/062899/16 for the Collett Way robbery and CR062898/16 for the 10.24pm incident in Brunel Road.