AN ARMED robber threatened a female member of staff at a Bournemouth convenience store with a handgun before tying her up and making off with cash.

The incident at Kinson News in Wimborne Road, Kinson, happened at around 5.15am on Wednesday as the woman prepared to open the shop.

Owner Rodney Coombs said his assistant, who has worked at the newsagent for two years, had been left shaken by the incident but was determined to return to work.

“She’s a really nice lady and good worker. She managed to free herself and phoned me and I called the police. She wasn’t hurt, but she will be mentally scarred for a while,” he said.

The robber brandished what police said appeared to be a silver handgun and forced the woman into a stock room at the back of the shop, where he tied her up before fleeing on foot with the shop’s petty cash.

“You just don’t expect it, really. It was only the float that was stolen. We don’t leave money on the premises. It’s a big risk to take for a small amount of money,” said Mr Coombs.

He said it was important to catch the robber to prevent him from striking again.

The robber is described as white, 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in tall and was wearing a black padded waist-length jacket, dark blue jeans and cream-coloured boots.

DC Mark White asked anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area early on Wednesday morning to contact the police immediately.

“Any information, no matter how insignificant you may consider it to be, may help me to track down the man responsible for this cowardly robbery and bring him to justice,” he said.

Contact the police on 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.