Alleged armed robbery attempt at newsagents

A MAN pointed what appeared to be a firearm at a shopkeeper in an alleged attempted armed robbery yesterday morning.

The would-be robber demanded cash but ran away after the worker threw a newspaper at him.

Police are appealing for witnesses and and any information.

The alleged attempted armed robbery happened at 9.50am in Barry.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said the suspect was wearing a black tracksuit with a white scarf around his face.

He pointed what appeared to be a firearm at a woman manning the counter at the newsagents on Coldbrook Road, beneath Victoria Park.

The spokeswoman said: “The suspect made demands for cash and the shopkeeper bravely threw a newspaper at him, which resulted in him running from the scene empty-handed and fleeing up a grassed lane leading to the park.

“Officers then stopped a male and arrested him for this offence. He is currently in custody.

“Officers have not yet recovered the weapon; specialist search teams are searching the area.”

Detective Inspector Terry Hopkins of Barry CID said: “We would like to reassure the public that we have arrested a male for this offence and we are still trying to establish if this was a real firearm or not.

“We have not yet obtained the firearm and we would therefore like to warn the public if they see any object, which they suspect could be a dumped firearm, to not approach it but to call the police immediately on 999.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 101 quoting ref 1700194382 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.