Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate two armed robberies in Byron Bay last night, which are believed to be linked.

About 7.25pm (Sunday 27 September 2015), a 26-year-old woman was at an ATM on Jonson Street when she was approached by a man armed with a knife.

Police have been told the man threatened the woman, demanding money.

The woman screamed and ran from the scene uninjured. The man left the scene empty handed

About 7.30pm, a 76-year-old woman was walking along Byron Street towards Middleton Street, when a man armed with a knife approached and threatened her.

The man took the woman’s handbag and fled the scene.

Both women were not physically injured during both incidents

Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Local Area Command were called and commenced investigating both incidents, which are believed to be linked.

Following inquiries, police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist them.

In both incidents he was described as being of slim build, aged in 30s to 40s, about 170-180cm tall, with short dark hair and was wearing a blue top.

In the second incident, the man was further described as wearing black-framed glasses, black long pants, with a black v-neck jumper covering the blue shirt. He was also seen wearing a grey-coloured fedora style hat.