Victoria Police is investigating two armed robberies which occurred this morning in Sunshine West and Derrimut.

Police have been told a man armed with a firearm forced entry to a factory in North View Drive, Sunshine West around 5am this morning.

The man confronted an employee at the factory and discharged the firearm towards her, causing minor injuries to her arm.

Police have attended at the premises and were confronted by the armed man who was holding the woman.

The man kept the woman with him whilst making his way towards a motorbike which was parked at the front of the property.

He has then let the woman go and left on the motorbike towards Somerville Road at a fast rate of speed.

The police immediately provided assistance to the woman and did not follow the armed man.

The woman has been conveyed to hospital for treatment.

The man did not steal anything from this property.

A short time later, around 5.25am, police received a call to a second armed robbery at a take-away food store on the corner of Mt Derrimut Road and Paramount Boulevard in Derrimut.

Police have been told the same man entered the store and threatened the female employee with the firearm before stealing a quantity of cash from the register.

The man is then believed to have left the area on the same motorbike.

The female employee was conveyed to hospital for observation and treatment for shock.

The armed offender is described as male, approximately 6 foot tall, solid build, wearing dark clothing and a full face helmet.