Police want to speak to this man in connection with an attempted armed robbery in Verwood last month.

A 59-year-old woman was getting into her car yards from cashpoint machines outside Morrisons in Chiltern Drive, Verwood on January 4 when she was approached by a man with his hat pulled down over his eyebrows and wielding a handgun.

The woman, from Wimborne, refused to hand over cash and screamed.

Police visited pubs and residents and scanned the area using the force helicopter but were unable to capture the gunman. Bushes on Chiltern Drive were cordoned off by police afterwards. 

Shocked residents feared the Verwood robber had been hiding and waiting for one of the cashpoint users or shoppers who park on the road to avoid going into the supermarket car park.

Last month police appealed for anyone with private CCTV of the area to come forward.

Now they are releasing an e-fit of a man they want to speak to.

Detective Sergeant Ian Fletcher, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This man was seen standing at the junction of Bridport Road and Mendip Road in Verwood between 1pm and 1.10pm on the day of the offence.

“He is described as white, aged in his forties, between five feet 10 inches and six feet tall and of medium build. He has a strong jaw line, was clean shaven and wearing a dark woollen hat pulled down to the top of his eyes.

“I need to locate this man to eliminate him from my enquiries.

“I would urge the man pictured and anyone who recognises him to make contact with Dorset Police. I am also keen to hear from anyone who has any information about the attempted robbery.”

The attacker is described as white, aged 30-40, of medium build and weighing approximately 12-13 stones.

He was clean-shaven at the time and reportedly spoke with a northern accent. He was wearing a black woollen hat, a dark jumper with a black gilet over the top and black woollen gloves.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about the crime to call Dorset Police 101 quoting incident number 404/4.