MASKED men have attempted to rob a town’s high street store.

The Leader has learned how two masked men stormed into G&R Newsagents in Connah’s Quay brandishing a knife.

A shopworker, who did not want to be named, said he was working when they came in at around 7.30pm on Thursday.

He said: “I was serving a customer when two lads came in wearing masks, covering everything. I didn’t realise at first, but they told the customer to move away.

“One of the men was holding a knife and asking for money. They tried to get over the counter but ran off when I raised the alarm.

“We have had a few minor issues in the past but nothing like this, people don’t come in with weapons. It’s the first time something like this has happened here.

“I panicked when I saw the knife, people can tell you what to do but you don’t know how to act until you’re in that situation. It left me shaken. I panicked, it is worrying.”

The Leader:

Concerns raised over the alleyway across the road

The shopworker, who has been working in Connah’s Quay for three years, said police officers took 15 minutes to attend but by then the males were gone.

He also raised concerns over an alleyway across the road, connecting nearby houses to the main road.

Concerns raised over the alleyway across the road.

He added: “The alleyway isn’t safe. We need more lighting. I see sometimes many people standing around there, gangs. Customers have been complaining as well, it’s not safe, we need more light.”

Ward member, Cllr Bernie Attridge said it is the minority of people spoiling it for the many.

He said: “Gangs hang around that area and if you’re not street-wise it does frighten you to death.

“It is very concerning such an incident has taken place. I think I need to illustrate what Shotton Town Council has been saying about more police presence.

“Hotspots need high visibility policing so people can see them on streets.

“I’m calling for anyone who knows who is responsible to contact the police soon as possible. Issues with the lighting, as the local member, I will ask Streetscene to go have a look and see if there is adequate lighting. If not, I’ll be asking for more to be put there, so people feel safe.

“It’s sad that in this day and age, people going about their daily lives are feeling intimidated.

“At the end of the day, we always pride ourselves that Connah’s Quay is a nice place to life. It’s the minority spoiling it for the many.

“The quicker people are taken to task and are taken off the streets the better for the good people of Connah’s Quay.”

Customer Mike Evans added: “The staff are always polite and it’s like a typical old style corner shop where you can have a chat and no one in any job should have to deal with this.”

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “We received a report at 7.28pm on Thursday, November 15, that [two] males with their faces covered and one brandishing a kitchen knife entered the G&R Newsagents on High Street Connah’s Quay and demanded money from the till.

“No money was handed over and suspects were chased out of the shop by a customer. They made off in a vehicle. No one was hurt .

“Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference X16560.”