A balaclava clad man stole cash from a post office during an armed robbery in Rickmansworth.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said a man wearing a black woolen balaclava threatened a member of staff at the Post Office in McColls, Tudor Parade, just after 5pm yesterday.

Police said he was armed with what is believed to have been a firearm. The member of staff handed over cash before the offender left.

No one was injured during the incident.

Officers described the suspect as male, black, aged between 25 and 35 years old, around 5ft 11in tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark grey hoodie and was carrying a small black rucksack.

Assistant Investigator Kevin Deudon said: “This was a very frightening ordeal for the victim. I would like to reassure people that we are doing all we can to trace whoever is responsible.

“There were quite a few people in the area at the time and I am appealing for anyone who saw what happened, or who believes they saw a man matching this description, to contact me straight away. It is possible that the offender may have got into a vehicle nearby.

“If you have any information at all about this incident then please contact me immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact AI Deudon via the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference C2/14/2501.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.