Police are appealing for public assistance after the attempted armed hold up of a service station in Fairfield yesterday evening.

About 8.30pm (Wednesday 26 November 2014), a man entered the premises on Railway Parade and threatened the male attendant with a knife while demanding cash.

As the armed man moved toward the counter, the attendant armed himself with a bat and swung it toward him.

The armed man fled the location a short time later empty handed.

He was last seen running west along Coleraine Street at Fairfield.

No one was injured during the incident.

Officers attached to Fairfield Local Area Command were contacted and established a crime scene at the location.

Local police, with assistance from the Dog Unit, conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area; however the man was not found.

Inquiries into the matter are continuing and police would now like to speak to a man who may be able to assist in the investigation.

The man is described as being about 170cm tall, with a thin build and he was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper and black hat.