Cash and booze haul as raiders hit Dudley Tesco store

Detectives were called to reports of a robbery at Tesco Express in Bromley Lane at just after 6am.

Several men forced their way into the shop, which only opened around a year ago, before fleeing the scene with their haul.

No one was injured in the raid and this afternoon staff were being interviewed by police officers trying to piece together details of the robbery.

They were also speaking to delivery drivers pulling up at the store, which is opposite Crestwood School. Shoppers were being stopped from entering the car park and the store by police who have put up a cordon around the site.

Forensic scenes of crime officers were at the scene today trying to gather evidence and clues. Police said a quantity of cash, cigarettes and alcohol was taken. It is believed the men forced their way into the store as staff were arriving for work this morning.

Residents today said the store, which opened in October last year, had also been targeted by thieves two weeks ago and called for police to increase patrols in the area. They spoke of their shock after hearing about today's raid.

One resident, a 45-year-old mother of one who did not want to be named, who lives nearby, described being woken up by the sound of sirens.

She said: "This is really scary because it's well used by all of the mothers who take their children to school. I really hope that there are more police patrols around the area to make people feel safer."

Police are now appealing for witneses to the raid to get in touch by calling 101.