POLICE are hunting a robber who brandished a meat cleaver during a raid at a Bournemouth store.

A CCTV image of the suspect has been released following the incident, which happened at around 10.50pm on Sunday, September 25.

The robber walked into the Co-op store in Kinson Road, approached the counter and asked a member of staff to empty the till.

When the male member of staff said he wouldn't, the offender brandished a meat clever and put it on the counter before demanding the money again.

The suspect was given a quantity of cash in a clear bag before he left the scene heading toward South Kinson Drive.

No one was injured.

The suspect is described as white and was wearing a black tracksuit, hat, black shoes, a tartan scarf covering his mouth and grey gloves with a bright blue colour on the first three fingers.

He spoke with an accent, described as Polish, and had hair poking out from under his hat.

Detective Constable Nicky McGhee, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I am releasing a CCTV image of the suspect in this case in the hope that members of the public may be able to help me identify him.

“While I appreciate his face in concealed, I believe someone may be able to recognise him from the clothing he is wearing.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who saw a man matching the photo or description given before or after the incident.”

Customers of the Co-op have condemned the incident.

One, who wished to stay anonymous, said the offender demonstrated a “huge amount of disregard” for everybody else involved.

“You read the paper, and these incidents of violence seem to happen all the time. You wouldn’t have seen this type of thing a few years ago," he added.

Adam Lockhard said: “It’s quite surprising. A similar thing happened to another shop nearby a few years ago. I’ve heard about a lot of shoplifting incidents at the Co-op but never a theft with a weapon before.”

Another customer, who also wished to stay anonymous, said she heard the police helicopter in the area last night.

“It’s a horrible thing to happen, but I’m not surprised as it’s the area. And it’s not unknown for things like this to happen around here.

“The fact a meat cleaver was used shocks me, though.”  

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 25:470.