ARMED police swooped on a Christchurch convenience store following a knifepoint robbery.

Shocked counter staff at McColl’s in Somerford Road were approached by a man wielding a knife at around 6.50am.

He demanded money from the till before grabbing cash and leaving the scene.

No-one has been arrested following the attack, but police, including specially-trained firearms officers with baton guns, and the force helicopter, launched a manhunt. CCTV footage of the suspect was also released.

A notice posted to the front of the shop’s door explained the store was closed and there had been an incident.

One nearby worker, Becky Keets told the Echo: “We got here about 7.15am, I was sat in the car and all of a sudden I heard the helicopter. 

Bournemouth Echo:

“I thought it was just going over, but then he circled back round and carried on circling for ages.

“There was one cop car over there and then another one came up with the dog.

“They’ve been going up and down the road.

“A few guys in a van from Travis Perkins said it had happened at McColl’s, and I saw a police car driving along the road as I drove in.”

Officers at the scene were searching nearby buildings.

Becky said: “We often get kids playing over there, but not much else.”

Police investigating the robbery say the suspect is described as white and in his 20s. 

He was wearing a black hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms.

No arrests have yet been made.

Detective Constable Garry Weston, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This must have been a distressing incident for the member of staff who was in the store at the time and we have launched an extensive investigation to identify the suspect.

“We have made a number of enquiries into this incident, including house-to-house, a trawl of CCTV footage and examinations of the scene.

“I am also issuing CCTV images of the suspect. 

“While I appreciate his face cannot be clearly seen, someone might recognise the clothing he is wearing and I would urge anyone who knows who he is to please contact us.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Officers from the neighbourhood policing team have launched extra patrols to reassure the community, he said.

Anyone with information about the robbery should contact police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting 55180078696.