STAFF at a newsagent in Poole were threatened at gunpoint during a terrifying daylight robbery yesterday.

Two men wearing scarves around their faces entered St Mary’s News in Longfleet at around 11.20am.

They threatened members of staff with a weapon, believed to be a hand gun and forced staff to hand over cash from the till and a mobile phone. They also stole a number of cigarettes.

The robbers then made off in a black Vauxhall Corsa or similar vehicle, according to police.

A customer was also in the store at the time of the robbery. Although shaken by the incident, no one involved was injured.

Shocked owner of St Mary’s News, Jackie Riley, said she had not left the store long before the robbery happened.

Bournemouth Echo:

It is not the first time the newsagent has been targeted by armed robbers.

“It was an awful shock when I got a call about what happened. The police were already here when I got back to the shop.

“I left the shop not too long before it happened. A lady who lives locally was also in the shop at the time. They threatened my staff with a gun and said ‘give us the money’.

“I’ve owned the newsagent 20 odd years, and it’s not the first time we’ve been robbed. Around five or six years ago we had a knifepoint robbery. I’m sick of things like this happening.

“We don’t keep a lot of cash in the tills fortunately. I’ve always said to the staff don’t ever put yourself in danger if there’s a robbery like this.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Police cordoned off the newsagent yesterday while they investigated the scene. A search was carried out in the area following the robbery, but the offenders were not found.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. It is not known if the hand gun was real or a replica.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Attempts to identify those responsible remain ongoing.”

Detective Constable Tom Alsford, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was obviously a very distressing incident for the members of staff and public who were in the store at the time and we are determined to identify those responsible.”

UPDATE: A 25-year-old Poole woman has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

Detectives are still appealing for anyone with information about the incident who has not already spoken to police to come forward. They are also keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and may have relevant dashcam footage