Second Accrington c-store robbed in two days

An Accrington convenience store has been robbed just two days after a similar incident in the area.

A female member of staff was threatened in the incident that occurred at around 6pm on 6 May at M.R. Foods in Ormerod Street.

Police said they arrested on Saturday a 32-year-old man in connection with the incident.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Damen Kershaw, 32, of no fixed address, has been charged with robbery. He is due to appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court today (10 May).

According to police, the suspect had asked for some cigarettes and as the store worker reached for the card machine, he has gone behind the counter and attempted to open the till. He then demanded the store worker to open the till, before escaping with a quantity of cash and cigarettes.

Officers investigating the incident earlier said they are not linking the incident to a robbery at Bargain Booze in Whalley Road, Accrington, on May 4, in which a female staff suffered bruising to her hand and arm.

“This was an extremely distressing incident which has left the victim very shaken,” Temporary DI Kate Kennedy, of East CID, Lancashire Police, said.

“I know these kind of incidents cause the public a great deal of concern and I would like to ensure residents that patrols have been stepped up in the area.”