A manhunt is under way in St Albans as police search for an armed suspect following a robbery.

Police were called at around 10.10am today to reports of a robbery at the CeX shop at 11 French Row.

Officers are searching for the suspect and are being assisted by the armed response unit.

No injuries have been reported and police have confirmed that social media rumours of a stabbing are false.

Residents should expect an increased police presence as the search continues.

An eyewitness claimed that: "A gentleman wearing a Covid mask came out of the shop, shoved my colleague and ran off. She was talking to a customer when she heard the commotion inside the CEX - he came out of the shop, bumped into her and then went down the road."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or report online, quoting ISR 182 of 2 September.