Plea in hunt for robbers

Feb 12 2008 By Mark Cowan

POLICE today appealed to Birmingham's criminal fraternity for help in the hunt for a gang of armed robbers who robbed supermarket workers at gunpoint.

The masked thugs barged three terrified workers into the back of the Ward End branch of Lidl and were raiding the safe when the shotgun went off at point blank range.

A shopworker was hit in the back but escaped serious injury.

The Birmingham Mail yesterday printed shocking images captured by the store's CCTV cameras as police stepped up their hunt for new leads.

Det Insp Nick Walton, from Queen's Road CID, said: "I feel confident that because of the severity of the incident that those responsible may have talked to family or friends.

"I would appeal for them to look to their conscience and contact us."

Appealing to the criminal fraternity, he added: "I don't think anyone would condone that level of violence. Somebody will have heard about this." Three members of staff had arrived at the store in Alum Rock Road, Ward End, at about 7am on January 24, to prepare for opening when the four raiders struck.

The gang terrorised the two men and one woman with a shotgun and a knife and forced them to open the safe.

It is possible the shotgun may have been fired be accident by one of the panicked gang who then fled in a small silver coloured car along Pelham Road towards Cotterills Lane with more than £1,000 in cash.

A store worker hit in the back with shotgun pellets underwent surgery and was later treated and released from hospital. His wounds were described as superficial.

Det Insp Walton said the shops workers were "quite clearly traumatised" by the incident and measures were in place to help them return to work.

A drawstring shopping bag with the label Off-Spring was recovered at the scene and has been sent away for forensic analysis.

* Anyone with information can call Queens Road CID on 0845 113 5000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.