robbery ordeal for charity shop volunteer
A charity shop volunteer has spoken of the terrifying moment a mystery assailant grabbed her around the throat in an attempt to rob the shop.
Volunteer Heather was very shaken by the incident, which happened on Wednesday afternoon at Open Chest in March’s Broad Street. She was left with bruises but still returned to volunteer on Friday.
Heather explained she had only been working at the shop for a few weeks and had been alone on the shop floor when the attack happened at just before 4.30pm. The bad weather was keeping people away and the shop was empty.
She said: “I heard the door open and saw someone come in, so I started walking towards the till. When he first put his arm around my neck, I thought it was someone messing around, but then he started shouting, ‘Open the till, open the till’.”
Brave Heather started shouting for help. She was pushed to the floor, leaving her with bruising to her side and leg.
Pete Dudley, husband of Open Chest manager Kathy, was in the back of the shop and sprang into action when he heard Heather’s calls for help. He caught up with the man, who had banged into the door in an attempt to escape, and grabbed him, but the man broke free and ran in the direction of Darthill Road.
The offender is described as white, in his early 20s, 6’2”, well built, with short dark hair and a round face. He was wearing a dark hooded top with a red panel to the front, jeans and trainers.
Det Sgt Matt Swash said: “Although the victim wasn’t injured she has been left extremely shocked by this incident.
“There would have been a number of people in the area at the time of the robbery and I would urge anyone with information about this incident to contact police.”
In spite of the trauma of the attempted robbery, Heather is trying to look on the positive side and, like Kathy, is grateful that nobody got hurt.
“Nothing like this has ever happened here before,” Kathy said. “We have now made changes to the shop layout and improved our CCTV.”
• Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.
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Weather for Wisbech
Thursday 23 May 2013
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Light showers
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