A MAN armed with a knife and dressed in a boiler suit and gas mask has robbed a newsagents in Darlington.

The masked robber threatened the female assistant with the knife and demanded cash, after which he escaped on foot with an unknown quantity of cash.

The incident, which happened at about 8pm on Tuesday night, was the second armed robbery to take place at the McColl’s shop on Whitby Way, in the Branksome area of the town, in the last 14 months.

The Northern Echo:

The man being hunted by police. Photo released by Durham Constabulary

As a result of the latest robbery the company is reviewing security measures at its shops.

Security footage from inside the shop shows the suspect as wearing a white boiler suit and black gas mask.

Detective Constable Richie Garrett from Darlington CID said: “The assistant on duty during the robbery has quite understandably been left extremely shaken and distressed by their experience.

“With this in mind I would ask anyone in the area at the time mentioned to think carefully about whether or not they saw the man described. Any information you have may be key, and I would urge you to contact police urgently if you can help."

The robbery follows a similar incident which happened last September, when three men with machetes burst in demanding cash.

The thieves made off with cash and scratchcards no staff were injured in the robbery, although they were badly shaken up.

Speaking after the latest incident, a McColl’s spokesman said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our customers and employees is of utmost importance. We are working closely with the relevant authorities in response to this incident.”

Anyone with information regarding the robbery is urged to call Durham Constabulary on 101.