By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 11:34, Thursday, 06 September 2012

Shop staff in Whitehaven have spoken of their shock after an attempted armed raid on another store.

The latest incident comes a day after a man was jailed for stealing from two bookmakers in the town.

The Timpson outlet in King Street was targeted in broad daylight on Tuesday afternoon.

It comes a day after Christopher Appleby Hardy was beginning a four-year prison sentence after he robbed Coral bookmakers and William Hill’s in the town centre.

Police raced to the scene at 1.30pm after reports of an attempted robbery at the Timpson key cutting and shoe repair outlet.

David Foster, who works at the nearby Blockbusters store, was stunned when he discovered thieves had allegedly struck at another King Street business.

“It seems strange that another business has been targeted – what are the chances of that,” he said. “It’s really weird as you don’t expect something like that to happen in Whitehaven. I’m shocked by it all. I never heard anything about the latest one and I can’t really believe it has happened.”

Mr Foster’s twin brother Paul had been present when Christopher Hardy had burst into the Coral bookmakers on August 16, producing a screwdriver and demanding cash.

“My brother offered him [Hardy] money to leave the shop and was given a £100 reward from the judge for his actions,” he said.

Thieves also struck in Vulcans Lane Cafe in Vulcans Park, Workington, on Tuesday night, hours after the latest Whitehaven incident. The cafe was locked up for the night but the owner returned at 8.30pm after reports there was activity around the building.

The owner spotted a man escaping through a window. Police say a number of low value items, including keys, had been stolen but the thief failed in an attempt to steal the safe. Contact DC Carolyn Orr at Workington CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

n A man was due to appear in court today accused of attempting to rob Timpson and assaulting a police officer.

A 25-year-old man from Egremont was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery at the same time but was later released without charge.

JBarwise@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:26, Thursday, 06 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk