Knifepoint robberies ' shops close earlier

BUSINESSES are taking unprecedented steps to protect their staff. This follows three knifepoint robberies in Town shops in just 20 days, whichhave left retail workers and customers worried.

In the latest robbery, at Candie Cache Stores at about 7.10pm on Friday, a man armed with a six-to-eight-inch serrated kitchen knife demanded and escaped with money.

Police described him as about 6ft tall or just under, wearing a brown/beige woollen jumper with light and dark squares wrapped tightly around his head. Except for his white trainers, the rest of his clothing was dark.

Police inquiries into the robberies, which are being treated as a priority, are continuing, said acting Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Taylor.

In all three cases the offender had a distinctly pale or white complexion, police said.

'I urge shop owners to keep a minimum cash float on the premises and to ensure that all their security systems are checked and in good working order,' said DCI Taylor.

'My message to shopkeepers and the public is to remain vigilant and to contact the CID with any information they may have concerning each of the recent robberies.'

The victim of the latest raid, Candie Cache Stores owner Dorothy Trebert, insisted yesterday that she was unfazed and not traumatised by the incident.

Known as a tough character by relatives, friends and customers, she returned to work early the following morning.

'Customers have rallied around and have been very supportive. It's a very close community. It's a lovely area and the people are superb,' she said.

Shopkeepers have changed their routine.

'There is never just one person working at the moment,' said Grand Bouet Stores owner Brian Holloway.

'We can't afford to take any chances ' even our customers are nervous,' he said.

'They should give the robbers the stiffest sentence possible to deter other people.

'We have had CCTV cameras for a while and have always been security conscious but we have to be more vigilant.'

Barras Car Centre, which has a kiosk and forecourt, is closing half an hour early ' a pump attendant will no longer be left alone until 6.30pm, when all other staff have left.

'We are taking unprecedented measures to protect our staff. We are gutted we have to start thinking this way,' said general manager Paul Guilmoto.

'We have been operating for 14 years and this is the first time we have ever had to think about taking such action,' he said.

Security has been strengthened at Union Street Stores, which was robbed a week ago.

'Protection of your staff is paramount. Extra surveillance has been installed and steps have been taken to improve security,' said proprietor Dean Guille.

'All women staff are going to feel vulnerable at this time ' one of my 15-year-old staff handed in her resignation and the armed robbery definitely had something to do with it,' he said.

Police are doing regular rounds at night and maintaining a presence around Town shops, said Mr Guille.

'I hope the police get them soon.'

Trinity Stores owner Pauline Lancaster said: 'The police have told us that a lot of shops are closing early and they certainly did yesterday. We had a lot of people we don't normally get, from other places.

'We have no plans to close early and are ensuring our staff are never left alone ' we are just following the advice of police,' she said.

'Security has never been an issue with us because we have always had precautions here. The staff don't want to be threatened. They are just doing their job.'

Doyle Motors shop manager Patricia English said that new security cameras have been fitted and that no money was left on the premises.

'There are always two or three staff on and the women work with men at night. I think they feel we have covered every eventuality as well as we can.'

Islanders said yesterday that even at cashpoints, people were nervously looking over their shoulder.