Police are searching for three youths, possibly aged as young as 12, following the attempted armed robbery of a general store south of Wollongong last night.

About 6.30pm, the three young boys armed with a knife entered the store on Queen Street in Warilla.

The youths approached the front counter but were disturbed by a shopper and ran from the store.

The three, who had their faces covered with beanies and scarves, ran east along Queen Street and then turned right into Harvey Street.

Officers searched the area with the assistance of a police dog but the would-be robbers were not found.

Police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command will continue with their investigations today to try and identify the three young males involved. They are thought to be aged between 12 and 14.