Police have released images of a person who they believe can assist with inquiries following an attempted armed robbery at St Peters overnight.

About 1.15am (Sunday 4 February 2018), a man entered the foyer of a hotel on the Princes Highway, near Canal Road, carrying what was believed to be a large knife and a handgun, and had his face covered.

He approached a security guard and a hotel patron and demanded the takings from the gaming machines.

The man left the premises when he was told that the machines could not be opened.

Officers from Inner West Police Area Command attended and searched the area with the assistance of the Dog Unit, but were unable to locate him.

The person depicted in the CCTV images is described as being about 175cm -180cm tall, with a medium to solid build, wearing a face covering and a light-coloured ski jacket.