Would-be thief used umbrella to hide face from Applecross bank staff

Police are hunting a man who allegedly used an open umbrella to hide his face during an attempted bank robbery in Applecross last week.

Police say the man entered a bank on Riseley Street just after midday on Friday, approaching the teller with an umbrella open in front of his face.

He told the teller the incident was a robbery, but they managed to activate the bank's alarm system as the man fled on foot, last seen running along Riseley Street.

Police say the man is in his 30s, light skinned, with a medium to solid build and is about 185cm tall. He was wearing a light-coloured jacket, dark pants and light-coloured shoes.

Police have urged anyone who saw the man, or any drivers of cars with dashcams who happened to be travelling along Riseley Street at the time, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.

Callers may remain anonymous.