POLICE have released a picture of a man they are hunting in connection with an armed robbery in Weymouth yesterday.

Colin Douglas, 25, from Weymouth, is wanted on suspicion of yesterday’s armed robbery at the Abbotsbury Road Post Office and a number of other offences.

A police officer was threatened with a gun and a woman's car was stolen.

Douglas is white, six feet tall, clean shaven with short, dark brown hair. He has a tattoo of a tiger on his left arm.

Police say Colin Douglas should not be approached and anyone who sees him should call 999 immediately.

Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Stanger said: "Officers continue to search for Colin Douglas and to follow positive lines of enquiry.

"I understand that he was wearing a cream hooded top with dark stripes running along the arms, a dark coloured striped top underneath, dark coloured trousers and dark shoes with a white motif across the toes.

"He was also wearing a black balaclava and dark gloves at the time of the robbery, although it’s possible that he may have now discarded this clothing.

"If members of the public notice anyone matching this description and anyone hiding or acting in a suspicious or unusual way, then I would urge them to call us straight away.

"I would also like to make it clear that anyone found to be helping, harbouring, or in any way aiding Colin Douglas will be arrested. I am appealing to Colin’s friends and family to do the right thing and help us to locate him as soon as possible."

No-one was injured during the incident yesterday.

Police were called to an armed robbery at the Post Office along Abbotsbury Road, after money was stolen.

One offender – believed to be Douglas – made off in a red Nissan Almera but was confronted by a police officer, who was threatened with a firearm. No shots were fired.

The offender stopped and threatened a Weymouth woman, along Lanehouse Rocks Road, and stole her black Saab convertible.

Both vehicles and a firearm were later recovered.

A 39-year-old Weymouth man who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender was released on police bail on Thursday evening.

Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Stanger continued: "High-visibility patrols are in place in and around the Weymouth and Portland areas and officers from Safer Neighbourhood Teams are liaising with our partners and local schools in order to provide reassurance."

Anyone who sees Colin Douglas should dial 999 immediately. Anyone else with other information should contact Dorset Police in confidence on 0800 0560146.