POLICE are hunting a man who threatened a female convenience store employee with a knife in Barnstaple before making off with four bottles of vodka.

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

The suspect is described as white, around five feet and six inches tall, slim and between 18 to 25 years old.

He was wearing a grey baseball cap, a blue-and-white face covering, a black zip-up hoodie, dark trousers, black shoes and was carrying a black duffle bag.

Before the incident, he walked from Barnstaple Central car park, previously known as Queen Street car park, onto Bear Street through Queen’s Walk.

Afterwards, he fled the store, taking four bottles of Smirnoff vodka, and ran back along Bear Street in the direction of Alexandria Road. He then headed back through Queen’s Walk towards Barnstaple Central car park.

Inspector Andy Wills of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “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 can help police with their investigation, you can contact the force online or by calling 101 quoting reference 50250117209.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online or by calling freephone 0800 555111.