POLICE have released an e-fit of a man following a robbery in the Bull Ring in Middlewich.

The robbery happened at 6.30pm on Friday, November 24 - the night of the Middlewich Christmas lights switch-on. 

A market trader was robbed as she put stock into her van in a layby outside the old NatWest bank next to Tesco Express at the Bull Ring.

A man approached her from behind and pushed her into the back of the van. He told the victim not to look around, cut her bag strap and took her day’s takings from her Christmas market.

The offender then ran off up an alleyway next to Hightown flats.

The man is described as white, 5’ 8” tall and aged in his late 20s. He has a pointy nose and appeared to be quite heavily built, though that may have been due to layers of clothing.

He was wearing dark jogging pants, dark trainers and a dark hoody.

The man had the hood up and it had a dark stripe running down the centre of it towards his forehead.

DC Kevin Lloyd said: “The robbery was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and left her extremely shaken. We have been carrying out a number of enquiries following the incident and are now in a position to issue an e-fit.

“We are determined to catch the man responsible and are keen to hear from anyone who may be able to assist with our investigation.

"I appeal to anyone who recognises the man in the e-fit or knows someone matching the description to get in touch.

“We are also keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the robbery or was in the area that evening and saw anything suspicious.”

Anyone with information that may help Cheshire Police with their investigation should call the force on 101, quoting incident number 799 of November 24, 2017, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.