Crime fears follow latest store robbery

Shopkeepers and politicians have raised concerns about an increase in crime after a robbers raided a supermarket.

Raiders on a motorbike struck at the Midcounties Co-operative store in Union Walk, Tipton, just before 8am yesterday, terrorising staff and stealing cigarettes.

Last week police revealed they were investigating possible links between a string of robberies at small supermarkets across the region.

Officers said they believed the same gang could behind raids at Co-ops and other stores in Staffordshire and the Black Country, where staff have been threatened with weapons including knives and axes.

In the latest raid the thieves backed the bike into the shop through the sliding automatic doors, threatened staff to hand over their goods before making a getaway.

Councillor Ian Jones, who represents Tipton Green on Sandwell Council, said he is worried that crime might be rising in the area. He said: "I'd like to ask people in the area to be vigilant. The police seem to say violent crime is down, but I'm not sure, I will need to look at the latest statistics."

Paul Samran, aged 59, owner of the Post Office in Union Street, said he has to keep his tills behind protective glass. He said: "The police say it is getting better, I have been here 17 years and I say it is getting a lot worse."

Loucas Menicou, manager of Victoria Chippy, in Owen Street, said the shop till was taken in 2010, but CCTV had acted as a deterrent since. Anyone with information on the robberies should call 101.