Armed raid foiled by shopkeeper in double attempted robbery scare in north Shropshire

A gunman escaped empty-handed from Hodnet Village Store after entering it around 10.15 wielding a gun and demanding shopkeeper Kiran Koyani empty the till.

But she refused, and the raider fled empty handed after her husband and workmen outside heard her screams and scared him off.

Kiran Koyani, who runs Hodnet Village Store with her husband Chetan, said the gunman came into the store around 10.15am and asked for some cigarettes. When she scanned the cigarettes he held up a gun and told her to empty the till.

She said: "I didn't open the till, I screamed and it alerted my husband and the workmen who were in the yard. They came running in and the guy with the gun fled."

At around 10.30am, the Adastra Services shop on the A41 Chester Road at Tern Hill was held up, again by a man wielding a gun, this time he escaped with the contents of the till and a quantity of spirits and tobacco.

The staff member was said to be shaken up and was sent home with the shop remaining closed until around 4pm.

A West Mercia Police police spokesman said: "Around 10.25am on Thursday a report was received of an armed robbery at a business premises in Church Street, Hodnet.

"No injuries were reported and nothing was reported stolen.

"Shortly afterwards, another report was received of an armed robbery at a business premises on the A41 at Tern Hill.

"No injuries were reported but a small quantity of cash and cigarettes were reported stolen.

"Officers, including firearms officers, attended and a thorough search of the area was carried out. Officers remain in the aea as investigations continue.

"Anyone who may have witnessed either incident is asked to please get in touch.

"Call 101 or visit westmercia.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report quoting incident 147 of 26 May."

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org