Camden New Journal - News: Fears over armed raids at stores

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Camden New Journal - by PAUL KEILTHY
Published: 6 March 2008

Fears over armed raids at stores

TWO armed raids on a high street food store in the space of four days have raised concerns about cash robberies in the Hampstead area.
Staff at Marks & Spencer in Pond Street, Hampstead, were left shaken but unhurt when a gunman raided the store as they were cashing up last Wednesday.
A hooded raider struck at the same store on Saturday night, again as staff cashed up the tills.
Although detectives believe the attacks are unconnected, the raids follow four cash-in transit raids in the NW3 postcode area in the past month and raise concerns over public safety, according to Hampstead Safer Neighbourhoods chairman Nigel Steward.
He said: “The public are at danger in such incidents – things can go wrong and people do get concerned just because of the random nature of it.
“This is clearly of concern to the shopkeepers as well. The police don’t seem to be cracking this problem, and ultimately it comes down to having more police on the streets.”
Two men raided the Simply Food outlet on Wednesday night, wielding a black pistol at staff. On Saturday night a lone raider struck the shop. On both occasions, police believe the robbers entered through the store’s rear door.
Marks & Spencer are understood to be reviewing their security in the wake of the attacks.
A spokeswoman for Marks & Spencer said: “The security of our staff and customers is our number one priority and we are extremely disappointed this happened in Hampstead. This is now in the hands of the police.”

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