Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an attempted armed robbery which occurred in Maddox Road on 14 June.

Investigators have been told that a man entered a milk bar with a handgun around 6pm.

He threatened the attendant and demanded that he fill a backpack with the day’s takings.

The terrified attendant ran to the rear of the shop and through to the attached residence.

The offender left empty handed.

He is perceived to be of Maori or Pacific Islander heritage, 165 centimetres tall, aged in his twenties and with a medium build.

At the time of the offence he was wearing a black baseball cap with a silver fern emblem, black jacket and a black and white chequered scarf over his face.