A ROBBER who threatened staff at a Bournemouth shop before making off with cash is being hunted by detectives.

The raid happened at the Co-op in Cranleigh Road, Southbourne, on Saturday at 9.50pm.

Police are also investigating a second armed incident at the Sauflands shops off Smugglers Lane in Highcliffe last night at 7.45pm (see below).

Police said the Co-op robber was white, of medium build, around 6ft 2ins tall, and was wearing dark trousers, a dark coat over a grey hooded top, a baseball cap and a scarf covering his nose and mouth.

Neighbours said they had not heard any commotion on Saturday night and that such incidents were rare.

Jeff Whitemore, who lives opposite, said: “I haven’t heard of a robbery over there before. It’s normally quite quiet around here. I’m too old to worry about things like that.

“We sleep in the back and we didn’t hear anything. I’ve not seen any trouble over there for a long time.”

James Munday, who co-owns the Pizza Gourmet takeaway next to the Co-op, added: “It’s always a worry, but we have run pubs for many years and seen it all.

“There are little groups that cause trouble, but most don’t cause a problem. It’s concerning though.”

A resident close by, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s unusual, we’ve not had any problems out here before; we don’t see the police often.

“This is obviously not a regular thing.”

Another nearby resident added: “We didn’t know anything about it until we saw some police over the road.

“It’s not the first time; a few months back they had their door kicked in. It’s generally quiet around here though.”

DC Neil Third of Bournemouth CID said: “This was a distressing incident for the staff and I would urge anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact police.”

Staff in the shop said they could not comment on the robbery.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In the second robbery, staff at a convenience store in Highcliffe were also threatened on Sunday night by a robber with a handgun.

The man made off with a quantity of cash from the Sauflands store just off Smugglers Lane at 5pm.

No-one was hurt.

The robber is described as around five feet ten, slim build, wearing dark trousers and a dark jacket. He wore a baseball cap and a scarf pulled up over his nose and mouth.

The description is similar to the robber who held up the Co-op.