Officers investigating a robbery in Honiton have released CCTV footage of a man they are urgently trying to trace.



This distressing footage shows the moment the man entered the antique shop at around 9am on Saturday 22 March and grabbed the female staff member from behind.



Detective Inspector Charlie Craig, from the investigation team, said: “Although we have followed up a number of lines of enquiry, we still do not know who this man is.



“He may not live in Devon and Cornwall so we are urging people to share this footage with friends across the country, using social media, so we can find out who he is.”



The incident took place as a female staff member, who was working alone, opened up the store at around 9am. The woman was grabbed from behind by the suspect before being tied up. Although not physically injured she was left very shaken by the incident. She is now being supported by officers and her family.



Clearer images of the man police wish to speak to in connection with the offence have now been released and police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise him.



He is described as a white man, of slim build, unshaven, with short dark hair and is aged between 30 – 50 years. He was wearing a blue coat, blue denim jeans, black trainers, beige coloured flat cap and was carrying a blue rucksack and black holdall bag.



Officers are also keen to speak to anyone who thinks they may have seen the man in the hours before or after the incident or saw any items of clothing discarded such as a rucksack or hat similar to those captured in the CCTV images.



Det Sgt Mark Oldershaw said: “ We know the robbery took place as the victim was opening up the store at around 9am. What we would like to know is did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the hours before or after this? The victim’s handbag was stolen during this incident so any information with regards to the disposal of this is also of significant interest.”



Anyone who knows the man in the footage, or has any information that could assist with the investigation, is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 467 of 22 March 2014.