Police are hunting a skinny man with a “protruding stomach”, missing teeth and a Poundland carrier bag after an alleged robbery in Ipswich.

The suspect, who is believed to be in his late 40s to early 50s, was wearing a grey hooded top “like a cape” when he entered a business in Bramford Road, near the junction with Prospect Road, at just before 4pm on Thursday.

He was initially pretending to be a customer, police said, before he demanded money and threatened staff with a knife.

Cash was stolen from the till before the suspect fled on foot, it is believed in the direction of Wellington Street.

He is described as being of skinny build but with a protruding stomach, and was wearing a grey hooded top like a cape, with only the hood on his head. He also had a green/grey polo shirt, jeans and white trainers and was carrying a Poundland carrier bag.

“He is also believed to be missing teeth at the front of his mouth and was unshaven and of unkempt appearance,” a police spokesman added.

“Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area during this time who may have seen this suspect or his direction of travel, or may have any information to help with the investigation.”

People can call Ipswich CID at Suffolk Constabulary on 101 quoting 63826/17 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55511.