Man threatens fast-food worker with knife

The woman backed away from the man and called police, and the man left the store. Photo / File

Police are on the lookout for a man who threatened a fast-food worker with a pocket knife in Christchurch this morning.

The man pulled the closed knife out of his pocket when he walked to the counter at the store in Buckley's Rd, Linwood, where a lone woman was working.

The woman backed away from the man and called police, and the man left the store.

Police said the man was agitated but did not open the knife or expressly threaten the worker.

"No one was injured in the incident, however, police are looking to locate the male, who can be seen partially in the attached CCTV footage.

"He has been described as in his late 30s or early 40s, approximately 167cm tall (5'6") and of a thin build.

"He has no facial hair, and was wearing black gloves at one point during the incident," police said.

It is not known if any unpaid-for food was taken in the incident.

Police have asked anyone who knows who the man is, or who saw a man matching the description, to contact Detective Elliot Western at the Christchurch Central Police Station on 03 363 7400.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.