Robbers wielding crowbars jump delivery driver at McColl's store in Beverley

THREE masked men wielding metal bars robbed a delivery driver at a Beverley convenience store.

The men jumped the driver, forced him to the back of the shop and stole two cartridges of cash, as well as money from the shop safe.

Witnesses at McColl's, in Samman Road, say the men raced out of the shop and sped away in a white car, possibly an Audi A6.

Police were on the scene in ten minutes.

The force helicopter was sent up to see if the getaway vehicle could be spotted, but it got away.

Frank Lock, 51, looked out of his first-floor window next to the shop at about 8.45am.

He said: "I was just opening my blinds up and I saw them running off.

"My window points out over the shop.

"There was a bloke running out of the shop with a money box in one hand.

"He hit the driver's window of the delivery van with his metal bar and then he sped off."

Martin Phelps, 24, of Thompson Avenue, Beverley, was heading for his morning paper when he saw the robbers speeding away.

He said: "I didn't see it happen but I saw the car speeding off. It went towards the Model Farm area.

"There were two or three guys and it was a white Audi."

Staff at McColl's were left terrified by the raid and were being interviewed by police yesterday.

Shop manager Sharon Ward was not working at the time of the attack and says she is just glad the workers are safe.

"The men followed the delivery man into the shop. They had crowbars," she said.

"They chased him down to the bottom of the shop and took the money.

"I don't think they hit him.

"I don't know what they got money-wise but it was him they were after.

"My main concern is my staff's safety and everyone was OK."

McColl's was closed and cordoned off with police tape until 1pm. Police scene of crime officers combed the area for clues while the police helicopter flew overhead.

Just after the robbery a Humberside Police spokesman said: "Three men have entered a shop and stolen two cartridges of cash, which were being delivered and a quantity of cash from inside a safe.

"The three men, all seen to be wearing black balaclavas, have then driven away in what has been described to police as a white Audi.

"Nobody in the shop was injured at the time of the incident.

"Officers and the police helicopter are now carrying out searches in an attempt to locate the offenders and the vehicle. The offenders are described as three men, all of a stocky build and wearing dark clothing. It is not known at this time how much money has been stolen."

The Samman Road area of Beverley's Swinemoor estate has previously suffered problems with crime and disorder.

But neighbours say problems have subsided in recent months and the robbery has left the community shocked.

Mr Lock said: "It has been fine here recently, no problems."

His neighbour Christine Dunbar said: "It's unusual for round here. We haven't had any trouble for a while."

Police are asking anyone who may have seen a white car, possibly an Audi, in the area prior to the robbery, or who may have seen the vehicle being away from the Samman Road area of Beverley, to call them.

Humberside Police can be called on the non-emergency number 101, quoting log 100 of October 30.