VIDEO: Shopkeeper threatened in jewellery store raid

Detectives have issued two pieces of footage of men they want to trace following the armed robbery at J and L Carr Jewellers in St Annes.

During the robbery on August 8 one of the men used the weapon to smash his way into the window display to steal jewellery.

The footage, only released by police yesterday, shows the brave shop assistant grappling with one of the masked men before making a run for safety.

As the terrified victim ran out of the Garden Street jewellers, one of the men waved a crowbar at others attempting to stop the robbery.

Police have also released footage of two men they believe could help their enquiries after they visited the store the day before the robbery looking to buy a ring.

Det Con Ellie Heaney, from Blackpool CID, said: “Our investigation into this incident is continuing but I would ask people to watch the CCTV footage and if anybody recognises these men or thinks they have any information that could assist us I would ask them to come forward.

“We have also released CCTV footage from Wednesday, August 7, of two men who had been into the shop looking for a ring for one of their girlfriends.

“We believe that they may be able to assist us with our enquiries so would like the public’s help to identify them.

“Fortunately, no one was injured but this was clearly a terrifying ordeal which has had a lasting effect on the staff members involved.”

At around 10am on August 8, a black Vauxhall Astra pulled up near to the business.

Two men wearing balaclavas ran from the vehicle inside the shop, armed with crowbars.

A third man remained in the car.

Once inside one man smashed the internal shop glass to the window display with a crowbar while the second man kept the female staff member behind the till area while making demands.

Both men snatched jewellery from the window display, placing it in large bags they brought with them.

The pair then left the shop on foot, dropping items of jewellery along the pavement.

Passers-by had attempted to detain the third man by throwing chairs and tables at the Astra but he managed to pick up the others and drive to Royal Lytham and St Annes golf course where they abandoned the Astra around the Links Road area.

They then drove away in another red vehicle.

Det Con Heaney added: “The black Vauxhall Astra was stolen from the Gorton area of Manchester so it is possible the offenders could be from the Greater Manchester area.”

Anyone with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101.

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