Police have issued a description of masked robber who shot a shop assistant in the neck.

A man brandishing an air pistol robbed Vetry’s convenience store in East Street, Epsom, on Thursday, February 6.

The white man, 5ft 7in, of slim to medium build, wore dark clothes including cargo-style trousers and a jacket.

Police have urged anyone waiting at a nearby bus stop the time of the crime, at about 8.45pm, to come forward.

Raj, 34, who runs the Vetry's store, told the Epsom Guardian how a gunman shot his wife Jenny, 33, twice in the neck while she was manning the till.

A stolen till drawer was found unopened a short time later in Fairview Lane.

Detective Inspector Paul Gordon said: "Following the initial call from the victim we immediately deployed several resources to the scene.

"This resulted in the arrest of a teenager who was believed to have been acting suspiciously in the area where the offence was committed.

"Following a number of enquiries into the incident, it is now thought this person does not connect to the offence and he has been released with no further action being taken against him.

"I am now releasing a description of the offender and I would ask anyone who has any information on him or the offence to contact us as a matter of urgency as we need to find the person responsible for this horrifying offence.

"All information passed to Surrey Police will be treated in the strictest of confidence but I understand that sometimes, for whatever reason, people wish to provide information anonymously and this can be done through the independent charity Crimestoppers."

Epsom and Ewell Neighbourhood Inspector Craig Knight said: "This incident is likely to frighten other shop owners and businesses in the area and I would urge those concerned about safety and security in their stores to visit the Surrey Police website for advice or contact your local safer neighbourhood team, where specialist officers will be able to assist."

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference 45140009372, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.