POLICE are appealing for the public’s help following an attempted knifepoint robbery by a masked man at a shop this afternoon.

Nobody was injured in the attempted robbery at around 3.40pm at JustShop in Rawlinson Street, Barrow.

A man wearing a tracksuit top and bottoms entered the store armed with a kitchen knife and demanded money from the shopkeeper.

However, the man fled the scene empty-handed after being challenged by the shopkeeper.

Detectives have released an image of the man captured on the store’s CCTV and would like to hear from anyone who saw the man before, during or after the incident.

He is described as a white man who was wearing a hooded jumper, black on the front and with grey sleeves and hood, as well as a black pocket on the arm.

He was also wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and black gloves.

The man was also wearing a mask covering his face. The mask is believed to be a Halloween clown-style mask with prominent teeth.

Detective Inspector Ginelle Ward said: “While it’s important to stress that nobody was injured, this was a serious incident and it is important that we hear from anyone with information which could assist our officers.

“We have released CCTV images as the man was wearing distinctive clothing and a distinctive mask. We believe there will likely be people who saw this man before or after the attempted robbery who can help our investigation.”

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Cumbria Constabulary referencing incident 162 of September 24.