An armed robber was chased by shoppers and passers-by as he fled with a supermarket cashbox. Police are appealing for witnesses to the raid in which a security guard was threatened with a handgun at Sainsbury’s, near Park Farm, Folkestone.

The robber ended up empty-handed and stained with coloured dye when a security pack activated as he tried to get the money.

The raid happened at around 4.20pm on Thursday as the guard went through the store’s main entrance. Police said the robber is thought to have had a dark coloured handgun and made threats to the guard before stealing a cash box.

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DescriptionPolice said the man they want is white, of medium build and height and believed to be in his 20s. He was wearing a grey hooded top and dark glasses.

If you can help Contact Detective Sergeant John McDermott on 01303 289410 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Brave shoppers chased the man through the car park until he got into a silver Audi A4 saloon car. The car drove off at speed before being abandoned in Belinda Court, Broadmead Village. Police were conducting forensic tests.

The cash box and its contents were discarded after the security dye pack went off. This red or orange dye would have contaminated skin and clothes of anyone handling it.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to or to anyone who may have further information which may help them.

Full story in next week's Kentish Express