An armed robber forced a staff member to open a safe at knifepoint and stole a ’substantial’ amount of money.

Detectives are seeking witnesses to the armed robbery on Saturday night, November 26 which left the member of staff with minor injuries and ’very shaken’.

A man wearing a motorcycle helmet with a balaclava underneath, and carrying a knife, walked into Hatt Service Station and Post Office at around 9pm and demanded money from.

The man assaulted the member of staff to force him to open the safe.

He walked off from the garage 15 minutes later with a substantial amount of cash, said police.

It is believed he got into a vehicle, possibly a dark-coloured saloon which was parked out of sight nearby. The car made off in the direction of the A388 towards Saltash.

The suspect is white, around 5ft 5ins tall and of slim build. The motorcycle helmet and balaclava were both black and he was also wearing a black jacket and black trousers.

Detectives are also keen to trace the driver of a light-coloured hatchback-style car who could hold vital information.

This vehicle travelled along Vollards Lane towards Hatt roundabout at 9.15pm and was almost in collision with the suspect’s vehicle which pulled out in front of it at the roundabout. The car turned left at the roundabout and headed towards St Mellion and Callington.

Detective Constable Matthew Critchley, of Liskeard CID, said: ’This was a distressing incident for the staff member who has been left feeling extremely shaken.

’We are urgently appealing to anyone who may have seen the suspect in the vicinity of the petrol station or his vehicle at the time of the offence to contact us.

’We are especially keen to hear from the driver or passenger of the light-coloured vehicle seen in the area at the time as they may have critical information to assist our enquiries.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or email: [email protected] quoting crime reference CR/083824/16.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via: www.crimestoppers-org.uk