DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses and video footage following an armed robbery at a convenience store in Helsby.

Shortly before 6pm on Monday, July 12, an unknown man armed with a knife entered the One Stop Shop on Chester Road.

The man threatened staff and ordered them to open the till before leaving the store on foot with a quantity of cash.

The suspect was described as a white man, around 6ft tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark fleece, tracksuit bottoms and a blue surgical facemask.

The incident follows two similar armed robberies in Runcorn, at this stage officers are keeping an open mind as to whether the three are linked.

Detective Inspector Nick Henderson, of Chester CID, said: “This incident has understandably left the store worker shaken and is likely to cause concern in the local area.

“Patrols have been stepped up and I would reassure residents that we are committed to doing all that we can to identify the person responsible and bring them to justice.

“As part of our investigation we’re keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and believes they may have witnessed the offender entering or fleeing the store.

“The same goes for anyone with any CCTV or dashcam footage that may be relevant to our investigation.

“If you have any information , no matter how small, please call us on 101, quoting IML 1035693 or give the details via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report.

“Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”