Robbery at the Bargain Booze store on Chorley Road.

POLICE in Chorley

are appealing for people to come forward with information after an off licence

in Adlington was robbed by a hooded man armed with a claw hammer on Tuesday

night. (7th December)

 

The

armed robbery took place at closing time around 10pm at the Bargain Booze store

on Chorley Road.

Staff were cleaning up when a man forced open the glass door and demanded cash.

 

He

has threatened them with a claw hammer before being handed the contents of the

till. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

 

The

man was wearing a navy hooded top up tight around his face and spoke with a

local accent.

 

This

incident follows a spate of robberies in the area over the past few weeks which

police believe could be linked.

 

DI

Paul Rudd from Chorley CID said: “This is a serious offence which has left the

shop staff badly shaken. I would appeal to anyone that has any information

about this robbery or any other offence to contact us urgently.

 

“In

addition to this incident there have been three social clubs targeted by two

men at closing time over the past few weeks. We are keeping an open mind about

any connections at this stage but we are investigating the possibility that

they could be linked.

 

“I

would like to reassure people that we have a full investigation underway and

our neighbourhood policing teams are visiting all these type of premises

offering crime prevention advice and reassurance.

 

“Unfortunately

it is not unusual for these types of premises to be targeted at this time of

year but these offences are still not common place and I have a team of

officers dedicated to finding those responsible.

 

“I

would urge shop owners to check their CCTV and alarms are in working order and

to keep the minimum amount of money possible within the premises. It is also

advisable to have more than one member of staff on duty at closing.

 

“I

would also urge members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any

suspicious activity to police.”

 

Investigations

are ongoing into three robberies at social clubs in the Chorley

area over the past few weeks. The first robbery was reported around midnight on

Sunday 7th November at the St George’s Institute on Trinity Road in Chorley.

 

A

similar robbery was also reported around midnight on Wednesday 1st December at

Coppull Conservative Club on Spendmore

Lane.

 

Most

recently police are appealing for people to come forward with information after

St Gregorys Parochial Club on Ash Grove was robbed in the early hours of Monday

6th December.

 

Anyone

with any information about any of these offences should contact police on 08451

25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.