Peterborough c-store staff left shaken after attempted armed robbery

A female store staff working in a convenience store in Peterborough is left shaken after a man threatened her with a broken bottle and demanded money. The staff is now fearful to return to work.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary reported today (16) that a masked man entered the Morrisons Daily Shopper, at the Bretton Centre, in Peterborough, at about 9.55pm on Sunday (12) and threatened a shop staff.

Brandishing the broken bottle, he approached a female member of staff and demanded money from the till. Staff hit the panic button and he ran from the store empty-handed.

The man is described as having tanned/dark skin, dark eyes and about 5’8” tall. As well as a face covering, he was wearing black jogging bottoms with a stripe and a black coat.

DC George Corney said, “This is a concerning incident for the community as well as local businesses. Although no-one was hurt, it has understandably left the victims shaken and fearful to return to work. I would urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Meanwhile, in another case, a shoplifter who stole food, alcohol, Christmas lights and a kitchen tap from shops in Cambridge has been jailed for more than a year.

Derek Lundgren, of no fixed address, took a drill from B&Q in Newmarket Road and hid it down his trousers on 8 November. He returned on Monday (13) and left with boxes of Christmas lights.

The 58-year-old also stole from the Co-Op in Perne Road four times on 21 October stealing items including washing powder, beer, steak and coffee.

At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (14), Lundgren pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and was sentenced to a year and eight weeks in prison.

PC Kyle Marsden, who investigated, said, “Lundgren is a known prolific shoplifter who admits he steals to feed his drug addiction. These offences, although on the face of it may seem minor, cause misery to shopworkers. This sentence will not only give retailers in Cambridge some respite, it will give Lundgren a significant amount of time to take up the support services which will be available to him to get the help he needs.

“We will continue to target spree offenders like Lundgren to make Cambridge a safer place to work and shop.”