POLICE are hunting an armed robber who targeted a Romsey convenience store and threatened staff with a crowbar.

A man entered the Co-op store in The Hundred and filled a bag with steaks, joints of meat and chocolates before heading for the exit without paying.

Police say he brandished a small crowbar after being challenged by a member of staff.

The raider then fled the store and ran up the street with the stolen items, leaving employees in the shop shocked but unhurt.

Hampshire county councillor Mark Cooper, who represents Romsey Town, said: “Robbery with the threat of violent assault is a traumatic experience.

“I hope the town’s CCTV cameras enable the police to arrest this person quickly before any more harm is done.”

Caroline Nokes, Tory MP for Romsey and Southampton North, added: “I’m relieved Continued on page 4

no-one from the store was injured in this incident and would encourage anyone who may know the whereabouts of the perpetrator to contact police.”

Romsey resident Simon Hayes, former Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, issued a similar plea.

Mr Hayes said: “Every effort must be made to catch this man. He threatened violence with a crowbar - the next time it could be a knife.

“Shoplifting is not normally associated with violence but the fact that he went prepared to use violence shows how dangerous he can be.”

It comes after separate surveys by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the shopworkers’ union Usdaw revealed a sharp rise in violence against retail staff.

The BRC said it had recorded a doubling of violence, while Usdaw’s survey of shopworkers showed a 25% increase, suggesting about 265 assaults were occurring every day.

John Hannett, Usdaw’s general secretary said: “These two surveys returned truly shocking results and clearly demonstrate that there’s a growing problem which needs to be tackled.

“A properly funded and well-resourced police service is essential to halt the dramatic rise in retail crime.

“We have to question whether the cutting of 20,000 police officers in the name of austerity is behind these survey results.”

Mr Hannett also called for tougher sentences for people convicted of assaulting shopworkers.

He said: “It is time to say enough is enough. Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected.”

Police investigating the Romsey incident have issued a CCTV image of the suspect and are appealing for witnesses.

He is described as white, 6ft, aged 20-25, with sunken facial features and short, dark unkempt hair. He was wearing a dark blue hoodie, dark trousers and black trainers with a white Nike swoosh.

Anyone with any information should call Hampshire police on 101, quoting 44180312325 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.