Plea For Sightings After 'Gun' Robbery At Blackwell Village Stores

Police are appealing for information and sightings of a man who carried out a gunpoint robbery at Blackwell Village Stores, Bromsgrove.

In particular officers want to hear about anyone seen in St Catherine's churchyard yesterday (Monday, 6 August) before the robbery which happened at around 2pm.

A quantity of cash was handed over to the robber after he threatened a woman working at the shop in Greenhill with what appeared to be a handgun. No-one else was in the store at the time.

The robber then made off on foot into St Catherine's Road.

He was white and pale skinned, in his 20s, around 5 feet 10 inches in height, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark, possibly grey, hooded top with the hood up over a white cap. Underneath his top he wore a black T-shirt and also had modern-styled, dark denim jeans. He spoke with a Birmingham accent. 

Detective Sergeant Ed Slough of Bromsgrove CID said: "Thankfully no-one was hurt during this incident, no shots were fired and at this time we do not know whether this was a real firearm or an imitation.

"We urgently want to hear from anyone who may have seen the robber on his way to or from the stores and in particular if they saw someone in the grounds of St Catherine's Church yesterday.

"It is important we trace this man so if you have any idea who he is or saw anyone or anything at all out of the ordinary in that area during the day then please let us know without delay."

Several scenes were cordoned off yesterday while officers, including dog handlers, carried out searches. Those were continuing today as police pursue a number of lines of inquiry.

Officers are going door-to-door and uniformed patrols have also been stepped up in Bromsgrove around post offices and convenience stores.

Det Sgt Slough said officers were engaging with shopkeepers and post office managers, encouraging people to be vigilant and to instantly report any suspicious activity.

Anyone with information should call detectives at Bromsgrove Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 313-S-060812, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Issued: Tuesday, 07 August 2012