THIS is the terrifying moment a hammer-wielding thug attacked a Blackpool jeweller.
Shocking CCTV footage today shows the crazed raider swinging a claw hammer at the head of James Connaughton, as the brave shop owner fends off the attacker to protect his wife.
Jeweller relives terror robberyThe horrific scenes happened after two men burst into Jagar Jewellers on Cedar Square, just before 3pm on Tuesday.
Mr Connaughton can be seen bravely battling with the robber as well as positioning himself in front of his wife to protect her from the vicious
onslaught.
Police say if one of the blows from the hammer had connected, Mr Connaughton would have almost certainly been seriously injured or killed.
After smashing open display cases the robbers escaped with around £15,000 in jewellery.
Det Con Simon Pritchard, of Blackpool Police's Robbery Squad, said: "These are dangerous men who need to be caught.
"The CCTV from the store shows the violence with which the offender attacked the shopkeeper.
"He has been very brave and tried to protect his wife who attempted to come out of a back office while the incident was ongoing. If the hammer had hit him he would have been killed.
"The proprietors are still very shaken and are currently trying to come up with a list of what has been taken. We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen something to come forward."
The shop remained closed yesterday but one nearby trader, who did not wish to be named, said incidents of violence in the area were becoming more commonplace.
He added: "It's a worry because you're always fairly vulnerable behind the counter. It's good to know the police are doing something to stop this kind of thing."
Another who wished to remain anonymous added: "You have to put up with shoplifters regularly, but this kind of thing is disgusting.
"I just hope the police catch them soon."
Police have issued a description of the robber armed with the hammer as a white man, around 5ft 6in tall, slim with possibly dark or black hair.
He wore a grey, long-sleeved hooded top with the hood pulled around his face. Over this was a black sleeveless bodywarmer-style garment.
The robbers ran out of the shop and are believed to have headed along Wood Street, then Topping Street towards Blackpool Bus Station.
Call Blackpool Police on (01253) 293933 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 with information.
The full article contains 421 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
