Two armed robbers held up shop staff in Portslade at knifepoint last night (Monday 13 February).
The men escaped with cash after threatening the three women who were working at the Co-op convenience store on the corner of Abinger Road and Shelldale Road, Portslade.
Sussex Police said: “The men went into the Co-op store in Abinger Road around 9.50pm. One of the staff was pulled by the hair to a safe and forced to open it at knifepoint.
“The other man broke open tills before both men escaped to a waiting red Volkswagen Golf, driven by a third person.
“Both men were dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas.
“The incident was extremely upsetting to all the staff.”
Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or use the contact form on the force’s website quoting reference 1313 of 13/02.
There were two men in the shop and one other driving the car. I know as I was in there at the time.
Where were security,the Co-op is at fault for making the staff vulnerable.
Wow, how heartless Paul Neville. Shops should not have to employ security guards, it is not the Co-Op’s fault at all. It is the fault of the people that made a CHOICE to use violence and turn to crime. The presence of a security guard in a small corner shop is more a deterrent against petty theft anyway, not armed robbery.
Although you’re correct Dan, in this day and age staff should be safe in the workplace, and if that means security guards on-site the that’s what the store owners, co-op should do!
It’s a coincidence then that this is the 4th or 5th Co-Op,in the Brighton area alone, that has been held up by armed robbers in the last 6mths??? Smaller stores that have security guards do not appear to be targeted so frequently!?
And what about Southern Co-Op, have they done anything to support their staff or improve the safety of their stores? One of the ‘concerned’ area managers was apparently overheard saying to staff at portslade, who weren’t on duty when the robbery took place but were concerned for their safety the next day, that ‘they’ll have to get a backbone & get over it’!!!
Very sympathetic.
Anon (concerned relative of staff member)