DETECTIVES are hunting a knife-wielding raider who demanded cash during a botched armed robbery at a Poole petrol station.

Police are linking this incident to three other knife-point robberies that took place in Poole in just over 24 hours and have released a picture of the suspect. 

Shocked staff at the Shell garage, Bournemouth Road, told police the robber fled with nothing after they refused to hand over cash.

No one was injured during the attempted robbery and no arrests have been made.

The drama unfolded just after 9pm on Monday evening.

Garage workers told the Echo they were unable to discuss the incident.

However, a nearby resident reported lots of police activity on the forecourt area of the garage, until well after 10pm.

One local woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I was told this morning by my boss that they'd been a robbery at the petrol station.

"I didn't see anything though I'm afraid. I just hope everyone is OK and they catch whoever is responsible soon. It cannot be nice to be on the other end of something like that."

A Dorset Police spokesman confirmed they received a call at 9.05pm on Monday to reports of an attempted robbery at the service station."

The spokesman explained: "A man entered the garage, brandished a knife and demanded money but none was handed over and he left on foot.

"The offender is described as white, of slim build, around five feet seven inches tall and around 25 years of age. He was wearing a light grey hooded jacket and dark sunglasses.

"Officers attended the scene and are currently making enquiries."

Anyone who saw a man matching this description should call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 13:474