Staff threatened in store robbery bid in Irvine Published duration 3 January 2016

image copyright Google image caption The attempted robbery took place at the Premier store in Irvine

Police are hunting for a man who threatened shop staff with a knife during an attempted robbery in Ayrshire.

The incident happened when a man wearing a balaclava entered a Premier store in Paterson Avenue, Irvine, at about 18:10 on Saturday.

Staff at the shop challenged the suspect and he made off empty-handed in the direction of Neil Avenue.

Staff and customers were shaken but uninjured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as white, about 6ft 4in tall, and had a skinny build. He was in his late teens or 20s and had a local accent.

At the time of the incident he was wearing dark clothing.

Det Con Jason Buxton, from Ayrshire CID, said: "This was a very distressing experience for staff and customers and it is important that we trace the man responsible as soon as possible."