Police study CCTV for gun raid clues

1:14pm Saturday 8th March 2008

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POLICE were last night scouring closed-circuit security TV footage of the moment when a robber burst in to a Hampshire convenience store and threatened staff with a gun.

The frightening scenario unfolded as workers at Tesco Express in Watson Walk, Totton, were preparing to open the shop at 6am yesterday.

A man wearing a balaclava came in through the back door and forced two female members of staff in to a toilet while he rummaged through the tills.

As reported throughout yesterday by the Daily Echo, armed police rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised - but the robber had already fled.

Last night the gunman was still at large and a full-scale investigation in to the incident was due to continue today.

Officers, who cordoned off the area surrounding the shop yesterday, are seeking early morning commuters who may have witnessed the incident.

It is thought the man, who was carrying a pistol-style handgun close to his chest, made off with a small amount of cash and a bag of cigarettes.

Det Sgt Martin Myers said: "This is a very serious incident and obviously extremely traumatic for the two staff members involved.

"I would like to thank the members of the public who called us in the hours following the incident with information. This information is being followed up, along with a number of other lines of inquiry.

"Anyone who has not yet contacted us but believes they may have information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact us at Lyndhurst CID at the earliest opportunity."

Officers are looking for a white man in his early 20s, who is described as fairly tall and wearing a black, lightweight hooded coat with piping down the sleeves and balaclava. He was carrying a rucksack.

It is not the first time the shop has been targeted in an armed raid.

In September 2005 a masked robber wearing a hoodie burst into the store and pointed a gun at a 16-year-old cashier. On that occasion the robber left empty-handed.

A spokesman for Tesco said security was taken seriously at its outlets but added that the matter was now being dealt with by police.

She said: "There were two members of staff in the premises.

"Thankfully no one was injured, though they were shocked by the experience.

"There were no customers in the shop at the time."

Anyone who may have witnessed the latest incident or believes they may have seen the offender before or after the robbery is asked to contact police.

In particular, officers are appealing to anyone travelling to work about 6am.