A police probe has been launched after an attempted armed robbery at a busy M25 service station in Hertfordshire.

A man reportedly entered the ‘Gamezone’ area of South Mimms’ service station and demanded staff hand over money from the gaming machines.

He was carrying a shopping bag, which appeared to have a gun concealed inside. He then fled empty handed and exited the car park via the coach parking area.

It happened at around 9am yesterday (December 20), following which police issued a description and appealed for information.

Detective Sergeant Thomas Hassall, from the Local Crime Unit, said: “Thankfully no one was hurt during the incident and nothing was taken, but this was a frightening ordeal for the staff involved.”

The man was wearing black trousers, a black top, an orange high-vis tabard with ‘JCB’ written on the back, black gloves and a white motorcycle helmet with a black tinted visor. He spoke with what has been described as an Eastern European accent.