Shortly before midnight yesterday (Monday 3 May 2021), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District responded to reports of an armed robbery at a hotel on the New England Highway at Rutherford.

Police have been told three males, not further described, entered the premises and threatened staff with a knife before fleeing with cash.

Officers have established a crime scene and inquiries are continuing.

Anyone with information about this incident - or may have dashcam or CCTV of the area about this time - is urged to call Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.