Armed robbery at the P Connell Store, Heywood

At 4.30pm on Monday (13 April 2015) a man pointed a gun at a terrified shopworker at the P Connell store on Benfield Street in Heywood and stole cash and cigarettes, police are now appealing to anyone who can identify the culprit to come forward.

Thankfully the weapon was not fired and the shopworker was not injured although she was left extremely shaken up.

The 61-year-old woman was on duty when the offender came into the store brandishing a handgun.

He pointed the weapon at the woman who was stood behind the counter and demanded the contents of the till. Frightened she would be hurt, the woman handed over the cash which the offender stuffed into a black bin liner. He also stole a number of cigarettes before stashing the stolen cigarettes and the gun into the bin bag and then fled.

It is believed he got into a car, possible a silver Citroen with a black roof, and drove off.

The offender is described as being white, about 5ft 10in tall, of a medium build and wearing a black Superdry jacket with the hood pulled up and some sort of face covering. He also had black gloves, grey tracksuit bottoms and a navy blue adidas trainers.

Detective Sergeant Tim O'Callaghan said: "Unless you yourself have been in the shoes of the woman was who threatened with a gun, it would be almost impossible to express just how frightened she was.

"No-one should ever face such a violent threat at work and I am sure this terrifying incident will live in her memory forever.

"The best peace of mind we can give to the victim is to find whomever is responsible, take this gun off the streets and lock this man up so he cannot target or intimidate anyone else.

"That is why I am appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

"In particular, I want to hear from anyone who might have seen this thief going into or out of the store or who has perhaps seen a silver Citroen behind driven erratically or at high speeds in the vicinity of the store. If you do have information then please call us."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.