Bike raiders in cigarettes theft at Tipton shop

Robbers on a motorbike raided a supermarket in Tipton today, terrorising staff members and stealing cigarettes. It happened at the Midcounties Co-operative store in Union Walk just before 8am.

The thieves backed the motorbike into the shop through the sliding automatic doors. They then stole cigarettes before making their getaway.

One witness, David Maney, of Addison Gardens in Tipton, said: "It was two yobs on a bike wearing helmets. There were no number plates on the bike. They reversed inside the shop. One of them jumped off and grabbed a load of cigarette packets.

"The assistant screamed and they made their escape.

"They had a big bundle of cigarettes stuffed under their coats. One was wearing a grey jacket and the other was wearing a dark jacket."

A cordon was up inside the shop and today and police were talking to staff.

Police were called to the robbery at 7.44am today and are searching the area nearby.

The shop workers were shaken but unhurt.