A man wearing a black balaclava ran off with "a small sum of cash" after threatening staff and robbing a petrol station in Dunfermline last night. 

Police have issued a description of the suspect and are appealing for witnesses after the Gulf garage on Halbeath Road was targeted around 7.20pm. 

The man entered the shop at the petrol station, threatened a worker and demanded money before running off with a sum of cash.

He was last seen going towards the cycle path behind the petrol station, which runs between Whitefield Road and Leys Park Road.

He was described as around six feet tall, slim to average build, with a black balaclava covering his face. He was wearing a dark coloured top and bottoms, dark gloves and dark trainers. He spoke with a local accent.

There was a large police presence after the robbery with officers searching the surrounding area and carrying out door-to-door enquiries.

Detective Inspector Karen Muirhead, of Dunfermline CID, said: "Thankfully the shop keeper was unharmed in this incident, but he has understandably been left very shaken. 

"I am appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the suspect in the area before or running away after the incident.

"We believe he may have entered the petrol station from the same cycle path he ran away in the direction of.

"The station is on a busy commuter road so I am also appealing to any drivers with dash cams to check back and see if they may have caught any footage of the suspect.

"I would ask that anyone who may have information in connection with the robbery, no matter how small they think it is, to contact police on 101, quoting reference 3012 of 9 March.

"You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 which is 100% confidential.”