A robber threatened a man by brandishing a mallet before making off with his laptop.

The robbery happened at Northey Street in Limehouse yesterday evening as a 34-year-old man walked over the bridge at Narrow Street before heading left into Northey Street where he spotted a red car which was parked nearby.

The car reversed and the man stopped as he thought the driver and passenger wanted directions.

But instead a man got out of the car and held up a metal mallet in front of him and gestured with it in a threatening manner.

He then pulled the victim’s laptop from his shoulder, got back in the car which drove off towards Narrow Street.

Police are looking for two Asian men, aged in their mid 20s.

The man who took the laptop is described as of medium build, with a light skin tone and stubble. He was wearing a dark woolly hat, a dark bomber jacket and jeans.

The second man stayed inside the vehicle during the robbery.

Anyone with any information about the incident which happened at about 6.50pm yesterday (Monday November 22) is asked to contact the robbery squad on 020 8217 4162 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email towerhamletsrobberysquad@met.police.uk