Robber threatens newsagent

A robber armed with a crowbar threatened a Darlaston newsagent and demanded he open his shop in the third attempted raid at the store in just over a month.

Mick Lane was approached as he got out of his car to open King Street News, in King Street, Darlaston, at 6.30am yesterday.

He refused to open the doors and the robber and his two accomplices escaped empty-handed in a dark-coloured estate type car. Mr Lane was not injured but was left very shaken and distressed, West Midlands Police said.

The attempted robbery comes just weeks after two previous raids at the town centre shop in which cash was stolen.

On February 14, a man entered the shop and went behind the counter, where he threatened staff with a hammer before escaping with cash. In the second raid, on February 22, the raider entered the newsagent's and bought an item, but jumped over the counter when the till was opened and grabbed cash.

Ward councillor Bill Madeley said news of the latest raid was worrying. He said: "It's terrible news. It's a thriving little business with a steady stream of customers every day and hopefully this latest attempted raid won't put him off staying here."