An appeal has been launched after a man stole a Rolex watch worth thousands of pounds at gunpoint.

The man reportedly posed as a customer before asking to look at a Rolex Submariner dive watch at a shop in St Anns Road, Harrow, on January 30 this year.

Metropolitan Police says the man jumped over the counter and threatened a member of staff with a handgun.

He then made off with the watch.

Police were called to the scene at 12.20pm and an investigation has been ongoing since.

The sales assistant held at gunpoint was not injured.

CCTV images have now been released of a man that police say they need to trace.

Detective Constable Tom Grimshaw said: “This was a very traumatic experience for the member of staff, who had a gun pointed at them.

“I would urge you to take a good look at the images and contact us if you know who he is. He was wearing a very distinctive ‘Royal Ascot’ baseball cap. Or have you been offered a Rolex at a reduced price?

“Please call us as a matter of urgency before he strikes again.”

Anyone with information should call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 2906/30Jan. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.