A SERVICE station in Parkstone was robbed in the early hours of this morning.

At around 2.29am, a man went into the Esso Highland Service Station in Ashley Road, threatened a member of staff and demanded money from the till. A quantity of cash was stolen.

No weapon was seen.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the robbery.

The offender is described as white, five feet six inches tall, of slender build, with ginger hair and was unshaven. He wore a pale blue hooded top with the hood up.

Officers, assisted by the dog unit and NPAS helicopter, attended and searched the area.

No arrests have been made.

Detective Sergeant Scott Johnson, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the Ashley Road area in the early hours of this morning and who may have seen anything suspicious, or someone matching the description given, to please call me on 101.”

An investigation is underway and detectives are keeping an open mind as to whether the same offender was responsible for the robbery at Central Convenience Store in Ashley Road yesterday morning, Sunday, May 15.

Witnesses and anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting incident number 16:17. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.