WITNESSES are being sought after an attempted robbery outside a Warlingham pub.
A man in his 20s had just left the Harrow Inn in Farleigh Road at around 11pm on New Year's Day when the incident happened.
He was confronted by three men near the car park. Two of them held his arms while their accomplice, who brandished what appeared to be some sort of tool, told him to hand over his valuables. The victim refused, managed to get free and ran off across some fields at the back of the pub.
The three men were in their 20s or 30s, had their faces covered with balaclavas, and wore dark sports clothing.
Afterwards police searched the immediate area with the help of a dog unit and police helicopter, but the suspects escaped.
Det Con Paul Thomas of Surrey Police said: "Fortunately the victim was not harmed during the incident but was left shaken by a very frightening experience.
"I believe there is also a strong possibility the suspects may have had a vehicle parked in the area."