Police hunting young man who tried to rob east Belfast newsagent

A FEMALE shop assistant was threatened at knifepoint during a failed robbery at a newsagent in east Belfast.

It happened on the Woodstock Road at around 2.30pm on Thursday.

A young man, described as being in his late teens and of chubby build, walked into the shop and threatened the female cashier with a knife.

He tried to steal money from the till but failed and fled on foot.

No-one was hurt but the cashier was left shaken by the ordeal.

Police searched the area to try and find the suspect but he was nowhere to be seen.

They are now examining CCTV footage to see if he was captured on camera, and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

A police spokesman said: “This attempted robbery happened in the middle of the afternoon at a busy intersection where Woodstock Road meets Redcar and Killowen Streets.

“We would urge anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the hour leading up to the attack to contact us.”

Anyone with information can ring detectives on 0845 600 8000.