Police hunt Burnley knifepoint shop raider

The incident took place at the Desai off-licence, in Ridge Row, at 11-15am on Saturday. The man went into the shop and took a drink to the till. He paid for the drink and asked for his change. When the shop worker opened the till, he threatened her with a knife and said “stay there” before reaching into the till for cash and running off. He escaped with around £150.

The shop assistant, in her 20s, was not hurt in the robbery but was left shaken.

Police are hunting a white man, in his 20s, between 5ft. 8in. and 5ft. 10in. tall, of skinny build with a gaunt face. He was clean shaven and was wearing a grey hooded top with the hood up.

He was also wearing knee-length shorts with black socks, red and black trainers and a black scarf.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We urge any witnesses who saw anybody acting suspiciously or running away from the scene to contact us.”

The incident follows a knife-point robbery in Nelson last month when a man wearing a motorcycle helmet burst into M.A. Fruit and Grocery Store, in Barkerhouse Road. He demanded the shopkeeper open the till and, when he refused, pulled a large kitchen knife from his sleeve before threatening the shop worker and customers.

He then reached into the till, grabbed a quantity of cash and fled.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at Crimestoppersuk.org.