RESIDENTS have spoken out with concerns over the safety of staff following a second armed robbery in a fortnight at a New Forest convenience store.

In both cases, a man threatened staff with a blade and stole alcohol, cigarettes and cash.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the Co-op in Oak Tree Parade, Bransgore was subject to raids around 9pm on Monday, January 15 and again on Sunday, January 28.

Businesses on the parade said the crime wave is all residents are speaking about when they come into the shops, with some in fear of their safety.

The Echo understands the prospect of external CCTV being placed at the parade is being explored.

It is believed to cost in the region of £20,000 a year to operate.

Cllr Mike Manley, chairman of Bransgore Parish Council, said: “I know there has been a spate of robberies in the Co-op recently and it must be their policy to stand back and not to challenge these people.

“No one wants to be attacked in that sort of situation, so it is understandable. It’s down to the Co-op to take any direct action, whether that is closing earlier, if that would help.

“They are open until 11pm which is possibly too late.

“It could be better for them to close at 9pm when the chip shop next door shuts.”

Con Webber, who lives in Burley and is a regular user of the shops on the parade, said the community needed to pull together to tackle the recent spate of crime.

“It really makes you feel for the people in the shop and what they have to put up with from these deviants of society - it’s appalling,” he said.

“This place was ram raided before, but the guys here were brave and said they were going to carry on because the community needs it here.

“My heart goes out to all the people that work here.”

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Last year, around April or May, we were away and our shed got broken into and then we found out nearly everyone in the area had been hit at the same time.”