"I FELT the knife on my neck".
Those chilling words have seen police step up their manhunt for an offender they said could be responsible for three robberies in the city.
Each victim gave similar descriptions of their attacker.
The latest, a 19-year-old woman was terrified as a man put a knife to her neck as she got in her car.
She was walking alone from Gloucestershire College to an industrial estate, off Submeadow Road, where she had parked, at around 6.40pm on Friday.
A man opened her passenger door and asked for a lighter. He threatened her with a knife, took her mobile and demanded money.
He was scared off when another car pulled up, causing him to drop the victim's phone, escaping with £10.
"I felt the knife on my neck before I saw it," said the victim, a student. "It was a horrible situation, I didn't know what to do. It was from behind, a kitchen knife I think. I was coming back from college - back to where I usually park my car. My friend left me and a minute later, that's when it happened."
The victim's mother was shocked by her daughter's ordeal.
"It is a parent's worst nightmare, she said.
The offender is described as black, in his 30s, of medium build, with stubble and wearing a beige Ralph Lauren beanie hat and dark Adidas zipped jacket.
Investigating officers said the incident could be related to a similar robbery in Edwy Parade, Kingsholm, on Wednesday and another on Friday night in Victory Road.
Then, between 10.20pm and 10.40pm a man put his arm around a 26-year-old woman's neck and threatened her with a knife.
He made off with two bags containing £20 in cash, cigarettes, a Samsung phone and various cards.
A similar attack happened in Kingsholm last Wednesday.
PC Ian Saunders is calling on witnesses to come forward.
"We are exploring whether this is linked to the knifepoint robbery in Kingsholm last week and would like to speak to the person who pulled up in their car and disrupted the robbery," he said.
Chief Inspector Richard Burge said: "Our officers have been holding knife arch operations regularly in the city to ensure people are not walking around carrying knives," he said. "We must reiterate that while there have been several incidents in the last week crimes involving knives are rare."
A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the robbery in Victory Road and has been bailed to attend Gloucester police station on June 7, pending further inquiries.
