Police are searching for a ‘vicious’ hammer-wielding thug who robbed a shop in West Lothian.
The terrifying incident happened at the Dairy Newsagents on Cochrane Street, Bathgate, at 11.30am on Sunday January 24.
Officers said an unidentified man entered and threatened a staff member with a hammer.
He then punched the male member of staff on the head before making off with a three figure sum of cash.
Now police are appealing for information from anyone who may be able to assist them with their investigation.
The man is described as white, tall, slim and speaking with a local Scottish accent.
He was wearing a black tammy hat, a black hooded jacket with a distinctive red zip on the left of the chest, blue cotton tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.
He had also had a black scarf or similar covering the lower half of his face.
Detective Sergeant Hannah Traynor of Lothian & Borders CID said: “This was a vicious and sustained attack which resulted in cash being stolen from the shop.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to identify this man and we would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity or who has any other information to come forward.
“In particular we would be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage or private CCTV.
“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 1323 of 24 January, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
