POLICE are searching for a man after two similar incidents in Blackburn town centre.

CCTV images have been released of the man police would like to speak to after an attempted robbery and theft in the town earlier this week.

At around 7:45am on Wednesday, a man wearing a long dark coat and a distinctive striped hat approached the shopkeeper armed with a knife. After a struggle the suspect was forced to leave. No money was taken.

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The next day, at around 11:40am, a man who had just withdrawn £120 from the cash machine outside Lloyds TSB bank on Church Street was robbed.

A man described as black or mixed race with a long blue coat and a bag, snatched the money from his hand and ran away.

Police believe CCTV images of both incidents may be the same offender.

Detective Inspector Tim McDermott of Blackburn CID said: "The descriptions and CCTV footage are very similar in both attacks.

"We clearly need to find this man quickly.

"The first incident involved the use of a knife and the second is a snatch of money in broad daylight in a busy area of Blackburn town centre. They are brazen and aggressive crimes.

"The images are of good quality and somebody in the local area will know who this is."

Anyone with information about the first incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference ED1514544.