A knifeman targeted a shop in New Cumnock and threatened staff before making off with a three-figure sum of money.

It happened around 9.30pm on Thursday, November 17, at the Day2Day Convenience Store in Highpark Avenue.

A 47 year-old woman who was working in the shop was threatened by the man and made his escape, with the cash, in an unknown direction.

No one else was in the store and while the staff member was left in a state of shock, she was physically unharmed as a result of the incident.

The man is medium to large built and was wearing a balaclava and gloves, with dark coloured trousers which looked baggy and loose fitting with black boots.

He was also wearing a distinctive 3/4 length green or olive khaki overcoat, described as a wax jacket.

Officers are carrying out enquiries in and around the shop and are looking at CCTV as part of their investigation.

Detective Constable David Lawson from Kilmarnock CID is leading the investigation.

He said: “Although unharmed, this incident really shocked the woman who was working in the shop. As a community and as police officers, we will not tolerate people feeling afraid in the places where they live and work.

“We are still to determine the direction the suspect took when he left the shop, but a dedicated team are working on tracing this man and holding him to account for his actions.

“I would ask anyone who seen a man behaving suspiciously around the shop at the time of the incident, or may have seen a man matching that description by the clothes he was wearing, to please contact officers at Kilmarnock police office.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Kilmarnock Police Office via 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.