THE PUBLIC are being warned not to approach the ‘violent and dangerous man’ who is on the run after committing an armed robbery and hijacking an innocent bystander’s car.

Twenty-four hours after the shocking incident where the suspect held up a Post Office and Londis shop with a gun, the police issued a picture of the man they believe is responsible.

In order to catch the 25-year-old Weymouth man Colin Paul Douglas, Dorset Police have mounted one of their biggest operations in the last four years.

Dozens of armed officers, community officers and sniffer dogs are scouring Weymouth and Portland on the ground whilst the police helicopter searched from the sky.

Yesterday afternoon police confirmed Douglas is wanted on suspicion of the armed robbery in Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth and other offences.

A picture of Douglas has been released and residents are being warned not to approach him under any circumstances but to call 999 straight away if they spot him.

Wanted posters were distributed throughout Weymouth and Portland by the police.

Douglas evaded officers after the robbery when he crashed his red Nissan Almera at the Fiveways junction just before 4pm on Wednesday.

He got out of his car with his gun and threatened a policeman who approached him.

The suspect then threatened a woman and stole her black Saab convertible car which was later found by police in Gallwey Road alongside an air rifle.

During a press conference yesterday Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Stanger described the suspect as a violent man and said: “A man who commits an armed robbery and points a firearm at a police officer and makes his escape and attacks an elderly person in a vehicle is a violent person and therefore dangerous.”

He said catching Douglas was the force’s top priority and that they are putting ‘everything’ they have into the search.

He said: “If members of the public notice anyone matching this description and anyone hiding or acting in a suspicious or unusual way then I would urge them to call us straight away.”

DCS Stanger said Douglas was wearing a black balaclava and dark gloves at the time of the robbery.

Yesterday high visibility officers were spotted at different locations between the Ferrybridge and the town centre.

Anyone who sees Douglas should call 999.

Any witnesses or anyone with information about Douglas can call Dorset Police’s dedicated incident room on 0800 0560146 or 01305 222222.

• A 39-year-old Weymouth man who was arrested on Wednesday evening on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on police bail.