Shots fired in raid on store

Sep 10 2008 By Mark Cowan and Chris Henwood

A BIRMINGHAM school was closed today as detectives investigated an armed raid at a city convenience store.

Parents dropping off children at Anglesey Junior School in Lozells were met by a police cordon covering the area around the store in Nursery Road.

Gunshots were fired as the raiders escaped with a haul of cash at 11pm yesterday.

No-one was hurt but the area was sealed off for forensic examination.

It was understood the shop was targeted in two other attacks in November 2006.

Det Insp Bob Bradford, from Thornhill Road CID, said: “Offenders have gone into the shop with the intention of robbery.

“A firearm was discharged but no one was injured. The road has been sealed off for examination.

“We would appeal to witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.”

Forensic specialists and police search teams were expected to return to the scene today to carry out a fingerprint search for clues to the offenders.

The road, between Anglesey Street and Villa Street, was expected to remain cordoned off for some of the morning, stopping children from getting into Anglesey School.

A notice outside the school said it would be closed today because of a “police incident” but hoped to be open tomorrow.

Church Street resident Sandra Radshaw said: “I didn’t hear anything as I was in bed.

“You get quite a few incidents like this around here and it’s getting worse.

“You just get used to it. I’ve lived here all my life and you learn to stay indoors at night, but I don’t let it intimidate me.

“I just know when to go out and when not to go out.”

A police spokesman said: “Officers were called just after 11pm yesterday to the junction of Anglesey Street and Nursery Road, Lozells, to reports of an armed robbery.

“Gunshots were fired during the incident but no one was injured.

“A quantity of money was taken by offenders.

“The two roads and Anglesey School remain closed this morning while police inquiries continue.”

Anyone with information should call Thornhill Road police on 0845 113 5000.