Armed masked robber raids petrol station in North Yorkshire

A masked man armed with a knife jumped over the tills of a North Yorkshire petrol station, stole tobacco and cash, and ordered staff to lie on the ground, police said.

He carried out the robbery at the Asda petrol station in Wetherby Road, Knaresborough, shortly before 11pm on Thursday (June 27) then fled down Manse Lane.

There were no customers in the shop at the time and no one was injured in the “very concerning incident”, North Yorkshire Police said.

The force has issued CCTV images of a masked man wearing a yellow high-vis jacket that officers want to speak to as part of their investigation.

“The suspect is described as having a slim build. He was wearing a large ‘puffa style’ high-vis jacket with a navy blue sweatshirt underneath, dark jeans, a dark-coloured beanie hat, dark-coloured work boots, gloves and a white mask over his face,” a police spokesperson said.

“We understand this is a very concerning incident. Officers will be in the area throughout the day to provide reassurance, and conduct house-to-house and forensic enquiries.”

They urged anyone who recognises the man to contact Harrogate CID at North Yorkshire Police immediately by emailing: tom.barker@northyorkshire.police.uk or dialling 101, quoting reference 12240114253.