Two men steal £1,500 in armed robbery after threatening staff with 'axe handle' at Preston store

Two men broke into McColl’s convenience store on Ribbleton Avenue before threatening staff with an axe handle at around 6.30am yesterday (March 30).

The two men then fled the scene in the direction of Greenlands estate with around £1,500 in cash, as well as cigarettes and alcohol.

A 30-year-old man from Preston has since been arrested on suspicion of robbery, and was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court this morning (March 31).

Police are now continuing to appeal for information and would like to speak to anybody who was in the area at the time.

DC Mark Thornton, of Preston Police, said: “This was a very scary incident for the members of staff at McColl’s, who were simply going about their work in what are already difficult circumstances.

“We believe there were people in the area at the time who may have seen what happened, or who may have got footage of the offenders making off, and we would like to hear from those people as soon as possible.

“We understand people may be reluctant to come forward during this time, especially if they have not been following the government guidelines about staying at home, but I would reassure them that our immediate concern is to find out who is responsible for this robbery. Anyone who has any information, no matter how insignificant they may feel it to be, is urged to come forward and speak to us.”

Officers believe people may have filmed the incident, and are asking anybody with smartphone or dashcam footage to also get in touch.

Anybody with information is asked to get in touch with police by calling 101, quoting log number 165 of March 30.