An armed robber burst into a Watford post office and threatened staff, before escaping empty handed.

The raid happened at the Bradshaw post office in Bushey Mill Lane at around 4.35pm yesterday (Monday).

The robber parked his motorbike in Tudor Avenue, entered the front door to the shop and threatened a member of staff with a firearm, police have said.

He demanded money from the shop assistant and smashed the glass in the counter using the weapon, Then the worker, pretending to get the money, pushed a panic alarm and the man escaped in an unknown direction on his bike.

Police said he caused a large amount of damage to the shop, but did not take any money. No one was injured.

Officers describe the robber as a man of medium build and 5ft 9ins tall. He was wearing dark trousers, a dark top, a black crash helmet with a dark visor and white gloves. The bike was a dark coloured motorcycle.

DC Archie Bagworth said: “I am appealing for anyone who might have seen anything at the time given or has any information to come forward.

“We take incidents of this kind very seriously and are doing everything we can to bring the offender to justice.

“We are also exploring the possibility of any links with other armed robberies in the area over the past few weeks.”

This armed robbery follows a similar incident in Hempstead Road, Kings Langley last Wednesday, when a man also wearing a motorcycle helmet and brandishing a silver handgun left with a large amount of cash.

On Thursday, October 16, another man dusguised by a motorcycle helmet, robbed cash from a newsagent in Garston Park Parade, St Albans Road, Watford.

Anyone with any information about this latest incident should telephone DC Bagworth on 0845 33 00 222. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.