A knife-wielding thief targeted a Carlisle jewellery shop making off with jewellery.

Cumbria Police is appealing for witnesses after a robber raided St Nicholas Galleries in Bank Street at about 3.40pm today.

During the incident he produced a knife before making off with jewellery.

The robber - who police say arrived on a bicycle - is believed to have been wearing black or dark make-up to disguise his face.

Police say the offender is male, about 5ft 9ins tall and of a skinny build.

Officers say he was wearing a dark grey jacket and light grey trainers and had a distinctive red scarf around his head.

Staff members from the shop were not injured in the incident, but are being supported by officers.

Detective Inspector James Yallop said: “This is a busy part of the city centre so we would urge anybody who saw anything suspicious in this area to contact us.

“I would reassure people that this type of crime is rare in Cumbria. Enquiries are already underway to find the person responsible.

“If anybody saw anything out-of-the-ordinary or witnessed this man leaving or entering the shop or elsewhere we would ask them to get in touch.”

Call police on 101, referencing incident 166 of March 22 – or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.