Detectives in Barnstaple are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a robbery in Barnstaple town centre in which the offender brandished a knife.

The offence took place shortly before 9.50pm on Saturday 10 May at the Spar convenience store at the junction of Bear Street and Boutport Street.

Prior to the incident, the male offender walked from the direction of Barnstaple Central Car Park, previously known as Queen Street Car Park, via Queen’s Walk, and into Bear Street.

Following the offence, the offender fled the store - taking four bottles of Smirnoff vodka - and ran back along Bear Street in the direction of Alexandria Road. He then headed into Queen’s Walk towards the Barnstaple Town Centre Car Park.

The offender is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, and aged around 18 to 25. He was wearing a black zip-up hooded jumper, dark-coloured trousers, and black shoes. He was also wearing a blue and white face covering with a grey-coloured baseball cap, and carrying a black duffle bag.

Officers have released a still image of the offender taken from the store’s CCTV.

Image can be seen via the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.

Inspector Andy Wills said: “We’re appealing for the public’s help to investigate this offence in which a female retail worker was threatened with a knife.

“Incidents such as this are fortunately rare in Barnstaple, but they have a significant effect on victims.

“We’ve shared the direction of travel and route taken by the offender both before and after the offence.

“We are asking everyone to consider; did you witness anything? Where did they go before and after? Do you recognise the clothing worn, or know who did this? Did you have a vehicle in the area with a dashcam which might have captured the offender? Did somebody you know turn up after this offence, with bottles of Smirnoff vodka?

“We would also ask anyone who has private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the area to review any footage taken both before and after the time of the offence which might have captured the offender

“If you have any information on the offence, please help to keep our community safe by contacting Devon and Cornwall Police via our website, or by calling 101, and quoting reference 50250117209.”

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.