A number of staff at the St Martins Pharmacy in the Mall on the corner of Beckford and Wilson's Road have been left traumatised by a knife wielding male robber who entered the pharmacy at approximately 4.40pm today. He presented a knife at a staff member, demanding controlled drugs before making off on his push bike with a large quantity of morphine in liquid and tablet form.

The robber is described as a Caucasian male, aged 30-50 years, 170cm in height, slim build with skinny legs and arms, wearing a dark cycle helmet, black woollen bandana or top covering his face, light blue long sleeved top, faded blue jeans, black gloves and white sneakers.

Acting Detective Sergeant Freeman said "The stolen morphine will be destined for the black market to be sold to intravenous drug users.The offender is likely to live in the local vicinity of the pharmacy and be a drug user himself. We are interested to hear from any witness who saw this person escape on his bike from the mall or from any person

Calls will be treated in confidence and can be made to Acting Detective Sergeant Freeman at the Christchurch South Police Station on 363-2572.