POLICE believe one man is behind a spate of knifepoint robberies and are appealing for help from the public in tracking him down.

The robber struck three times in the space of two hours, with the first raid taking place just after midnight yesterday at a public house in Ripon.

He broke in to the Black A Moor, in Boroughbridge Road, and then threatened the licensee with a knife before demanding money and escaping with a small quantity of money.

At 1.40pm, the man struck again, raiding the Shell garage at Jennyfields, Ripon Road, Harrogate.

He escaped with money from the till after threatening staff with a knife.

He attempted a similar raid 15 minutes later at the Oatlands service station, in Leeds Road, Harrogate.

However, he was thwarted when the cashier challenged him, and he left empty-handed.

He was aged between 30 and 45, 5ft 8in to 6ft, with short brown, greying hair and long sideburns.

He wore metal-framed spectacles, white jeans or trousers, a thigh-length black coat with a black top underneath and black shoes or boots.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01423) 505541.