Police are appealing for information after a man wearing a ski mask and possessing a hammer robbed a service station.

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

It happened in Shaftesbury early on Saturday, February 4.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "At 5.25am on Saturday 4 February 2023 a man entered Ivy Cross service station and threatened a member of staff with a hammer before stealing a pack of tobacco and leaving the store.

"The offender was described as wearing a black ski mask, a black hooded coat and grey work-like trousers with black caps on the knees."

Police Constable Mark Eastgate, of Dorset Police, said: “I am appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anyone who might have seen the man described to please come forward.

“I would also urge motorists, who were driving in the area at the relevant time and have dashcams fitted, to please review their footage to see if they have captured anything that might assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230018348.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.