Police investigating an attempted armed robbery in Coffs Harbour have released a CCTV still of the offender, with detectives particularly keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the jumper he is wearing.

Shortly after 5.30pm on Sunday (27 September 2015), a male, with his face concealed by a black scarf and wearing a distinctive black and red striped hooded-jumper, walked into a convenience store on West High Street, Coffs Harbour.

The male produced a Stanley knife and demanded the 51-year-old owner of the store hand over money from the cash register.

The owner’s 21-year-old son, who was also in the store, interrupted the armed offender and chased him from the location.

The offender fled the location empty-handed and was last seen running along across West High Street and then down Robin Street before entering the grounds of a nearby public school.

Police were called to the scene and spoke to the 51-year-old woman and her son, neither of whom were injured. Officers performed a canvass of nearby streets, however were unable to track down the offender.

Detectives are now investigating the incident and have released a CCTV still of the offender.

He is described as being about 175cm tall and of slim build.

He was wearing a distinctive black and red striped hooded-jumper, black jeans, and had a black scarf wrapped around his face. He was also carrying a grey back-pack.