Garage staff halt robbery

Two men wielding baseball bats threatened a cashier before fleeing empty-handed in an attempted raid on a Welshpool petrol station.

They fled the scene after being challenged by members of staff at W R Davies petrol station in Salop Road at 9.30pm on Friday.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said: "Baseball bats were used in the incident and a member of staff was threatened but no-one was injured."

She said the force was in the process of reviewing relevant CCTV footage of the incident and appealed to anyone with information to get in touch.

"There were two offenders who fled the scene after being challenged by members of staff," she said.

"Anyone who was in the Salop Road area of Welshpool between 9.15pm and 9.45pm on Friday is being urged to contact the police.

"We are in the process of reviewing CCTV footage at the moment and hope that anyone with information will come forward and help with our investigation."

She added an 18-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, both believed to be from the Welshpool area, had been arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.

"The two men were brought into custody last night and are currently being questioned," she said.

John Walker, manager at W R Davies of Welshpool said the offenders had left the scene empty-handed.

He said: "They fled the scene with nothing because the staff don't have access to any money because it is locked away in a secure safe, so it would be a waste of time for anyone thinking about attempting this again."

Councillor Ann Holloway, the mayor of Welshpool, said she was extremely saddened that something like this had happened in the town.

She said: "I feel very sad and sorry that something like this has happened in Welshpool.

"I want to praise the staff at the garage for standing up to the offenders, as it must have taken a lot of courage.

"I understand they fled the scene empty-handed and hope the police will catch those responsible.

"Things like this just shouldn't happen and it's very unfortunate that it has," she added.

Anyone with information should call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or if they wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

By Anwen Evans