DETECTIVES have issued a CCTV image of a young woman they wish to question after a hold-up at an Esso filling station.

The woman raider, armed with a pistol, walked into the garage shop in Princes Road, Dartford, and selected a drink from the chilled cabinet.

She then approached the till and demanded the cashier hand over cigarettes and money.

Once a quantity of cash had been handed over she fled on foot towards Shepherd’s Lane.

The cashier, who is in his 20s, was shocked but unharmed. A spokesman for Esso said he was back at work but had been badly shaken.

Police are now looking for a woman described as white, aged 26 to 28 and short.

She was wearing blue jeans, a light blue jacket and a baseball cap, which was pulled down to hide her face.

Police say a driver may have witnessed the incident. He is believed to have motioned towards the cashier to activate a pump at the same time as the confrontation with the robber was happening.

Det Con Gerry Marsh said: “This was a particularly shocking incident for the cashier and we urge anyone with information to come forward.

“We would particularly like to trace the driver who pulled up at one of the pumps as the robbery was taking place.”

The potential witness arrived at the On The Run garage shortly after 2am on Thursday, May 31.

If you have any information or can help police in this investigation call DC Marsh on 01474 565091 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.