Man armed with claw hammer robs Adlington off licence (From Chorley Citizen)

Man armed with claw hammer robs Adlington off licence

10:23am Thursday 9th December 2010 in Adlington

Police are hunting an armed robber after an off licence in Adlington was raided by a hooded man armed with a claw hammer.

The robbery took place at around 10pm on Tuesday at the Bargain Booze store on Chorley Road.

Staff were cleaning up when a man forced open the glass door and demanded cash.

He threatened them with a claw hammer before being handed the contents of the till.

He then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The man was wearing a navy hooded top up tight around his face and spoke with a local accent.

This incident follows a spate of robberies in the area over the past few weeks which police believe could be linked.

DI Paul Rudd from Chorley CID said: “This is a serious offence which has left the shop staff badly shaken. I would appeal to anyone that has any information about this robbery or any other offence to contact us urgently.

“In addition to this incident there have been three social clubs targeted by two men at closing time over the past few weeks. We are keeping an open mind about any connections at this stage but we are investigating the possibility that they could be linked.

“I would like to reassure people that we have a full investigation underway and our neighbourhood policing teams are visiting all these type of premises offering crime prevention advice and reassurance.

“Unfortunately it is not unusual for these types of premises to be targeted at this time of year but these offences are still not common place and I have a team of officers dedicated to finding those responsible.

“I would urge shop owners to check their CCTV and alarms are in working order and to keep the minimum amount of money possible within the premises. It is also advisable to have more than one member of staff on duty at closing.

“I would also urge members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to police.”

Investigations are ongoing into three robberies at social clubs in the Chorley area over the past few weeks. The first robbery was reported around midnight on Sunday, November 7 at the St George’s Institute on Trinity Road in Chorley.

A similar robbery was also reported around midnight on Wednesday, December 1 at Coppull Conservative Club on Spendmore Lane.

Most recently police are appealing for people to come forward with information after St Gregorys Parochial Club on Ash Grove was robbed in the early hours of Monday, December 6.

Anyone with any information about any of these offences should contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.