Police are appealing for help in tracing a man who may be stained with red dye after stealing a cash box during a robbery at a filling station.

Officers believe the man may have travelled to Warwickshire to commit the robbery and are widening their appeal to surrounding areas, including Thames Valley, where he may have links in the hope of tracing the offender.

Officers believe the man's clothing and skin may be stained with red dye emitted from the cash box after the thief grabbed it.

The raid happened at the Sainsburys petrol station forecourt at Shires Retail Park, Tachbrook Park Road, Leamington Spa, at about 3.15pm on Thursday, October 2.

The car he was driving, a newish silver grey or very light green metallic saloon car may also be stained inside with red dye.

The robbery occurred when a man approached a cash-in-transit van that was collecting money from the petrol station, and demanded the cash box.

Following a brief struggle, he stole the cash box containing a large amount of cash. No weapons were used and no one was injured during the incident.

The man then ran off to the back of the petrol station and towards the roundabout and Mcdonald's. It is believed the man may have got into a newish silver grey, or very light green metallic, saloon car somewhere nearby which drove off towards the M40.

Det Con Mark Hewston said "A short while later on the southbound of the M40 at junction 15, a male was seen to discard the security box. This security box had a security device fitted and was emitting a large amount of red smoke and dye."

The dye mechanism destroyed the contents of the box within seconds of the attempt to open it, rendering the contents valueless to the thief.

The offender is described as a black man of average build and wearing a reddish orange jacket and grey clothing.

"We are seeking witnesses who may have seen a male, acting suspiciously in or around the petrol station at the time of the robbery.

"In addition witnesses on the motorway may have seen a vehicle, stopped on the on slip, M40 southbound at junction 15. The vehicle was distinctive as it may well have been belching red smoke from its windows or door", Det Con Hewston said.

"The offender and vehicle may well be heavily contaminated with red dye from the security device and members of the public are requested to contact us if they have any information as to the vehicle or if they know of anybody who has been contaminated with red dye or paint."

Any witnesses who can help police trace this offender are please asked to contact Det Con 638 Mark Hewston at Leamington CID on 01926 684168/684148 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.