knifepoint outside a South Shore restaurant, Police reported yesterday.

The attack occurred on New Jersey residents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones' first night in Bermuda.

Two youths on motorbikes rode up alongside them as they were walking on Lighthouse Road in Southampton at about 11 p.m. on Thursday night, having just left the Henry VIII restaurant.

The robbers, one wielding a knife, lashed out at the couple, punching the man and knocking him to the ground as he demanded money, a Police spokesman said.

The visitor, who suffered scrapes and abrasions, was forced to hand over a money clip containing about $230 cash.

It was the first time he had ever been the victim of an armed robbery, Mr.

Jones said yesterday. He had thought the area was safe at night and his guest house was nearby.

Though the attack had been particularly nasty, he and his wife had not been scared away. He said he planned on staying "a few more days''.

The Police had acted "professionally'', he added, and he did not want to say anything to jeopardise the investigation.

Police are still searching for the culprits and want to speak to the drivers of a taxi and several private cars believed to have passed the couple around the time of the robbery.

They would also like to speak to anyone who was in the Henry VIII parking lot from 10.30 p.m. onwards on Thursday.

Police Community and Media Relations Officer P.c. Gary Venning said it was believed a small group of criminals were responsible for such attacks.

"It's important to find them and get them into custody,'' he said, noting the attack had occurred in a popular tourist area.