Shop worker’s presence of mind thwarts robbery  

The presence of mind shown by the shop worker has averted a robbery at Blackburn shop.

The incident happened at around 8pm on 5 March, when a man entered Wensley Fold News on Wensley Road in Blackburn with a large kitchen knife.

As the offender made demands for money from the till, a member of the shop staff activated an alarm, which went off.

The panicked man promptly fled the scene empty-handed.

“Thankfully the would-be thief didn’t get away with any money after the member of staff set off an alarm. It must have been a terrifying experience for him and his colleague who were working in the shop at the time,” commented DC Vicky Heys from Blackburn CID.

Officers are appealing for information on the offender who was seen going up Saunders Road in the direction of Rawsthorne Street.

“We need anyone who knows the person responsible or has any information about the incident to come forward and speak to us,” Heys said.

The man is described as white, around 5ft 7ins, of slim to medium build and spoke with a local accent.

Anyone with information can email [email protected] or call 01254 353628. If you fail to get an answer, please call 101 quoting incident reference 1381 of 5 March.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.