Armed robbers attack Co-op in Whiteley in early morning raid assaulting staff and making off with cash, cigarettes and alcohol

The attack happened at the Co-op in Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley, this morning (November 30) between 6am and 6.30am.

Two men wearing face coverings entered the store armed with crowbars that they used to threaten staff.

They stole cigarettes, alcohol, cash, and technical equipment from the staff room.

A staff member, a 35-year-old woman, was assaulted during the incident but was not injured.

Both men were white, and wearing hooded tops, jogging bottoms, and trainers. They both also wore face masks covering most of their faces.

The two men left in a dark-coloured saloon car.

A spokeswoman from the Co-op said: ‘We're working closely with Hampshire Constabulary and would urge anyone with information relating to this incident to speak to the police.

‘We're grateful that no-one was physically injured but incidents like this will often affect our colleagues in ways which are not always visible so we’ll be offering support to all of our colleagues at this store.’

Officers are appealing for witnesses.

SEE ALSO: Southern Co-op hopes to tackle rising violent crime at its cause with charitable cash donations

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘Were you in the area at the time? Perhaps you saw a dark-coloured car driving around the Yew Tree Drive area between 5.40am and 6.30am?

‘Officers are keen to speak to anyone with information, or dash-cam footage, that could help their investigation.

‘Please phone 101 with reference 44200462425. Alternatively, you can phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.’

In October the Southern Co-op launched a campaign against threats and violence being used on its staff – and its chief executive Mark Smith said the business’s stores had faced 'relentless crime’.

A video of staff talking about the experiences was sent MPs across the region, as the Co-op asked for help to stem the tide of abuse.

It included testimonies for shop workers who had been victim to armed robberies, who spoke about the lasting impact of the crime on them, and how the events preyed on their minds.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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