Police are investigating an armed robbery at a confectionary store at Stafford yesterday afternoon.

Around 5.05pm a woman armed with a firearm walked into the Stafford Road shopping centre store and demanded cash from the female attendant.

The woman attempted to remove the cash register however was prevented from doing so by the attendant.  The woman struck the attendant in the face and then grabbed her by the throat.  After a short struggle the woman fled the scene, running towards the rear car park.

The woman is described as being Caucasian, 162cms and brown hair. She was wearing blue overalls, blue sombrero hat, black beanie and white mask.  She was carrying a purple enviro bag with an Australian flag.