Police are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery in Sydney this morning.

About 3.30am today (3 June), a man, armed with a syringe, entered the convenience store on Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills and threatened a male employee.

He demanded cash from the register before running from the store.

Police from Surry Hills Local Area Command attended the scene and conducted inquiries.

Local detectives are now seeking public assistance to identify and locate the offender.

He is described as being about 40 years old, 170cm tall with a large build. He was wearing a red hooded jacket with white stripes, woollen gloves, dark coloured pants, and black boots and was wearing a light coloured scarf around his face with dark sunglasses.

He was last seen running south on Elizabeth Street towards Cleveland Street.