Young shop girl's knife terror (From Wiltshire Times)

Young shop girl's knife terror

11:30am Friday 29th February 2008

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STAFF at a confectionary shop raided by a knife wielding gang have thanked local people for their support following the incident.

A gang of people targeted The Sweet Shop in The Shires shopping centre, Trowbridge, at around 4.20pm on Friday.

One of them had a knife and used it to threaten the 19-year-old Trowbridge teenager who was serving behind the till at the time.

Around £200 was taken from the shop and the police helicopter was called in to search for the perpetrators, hovering low over the town centre and assisting ground-based officers for about an hour after the raid.

The manager of the family business Cherry Robinson from Hilperton is said to be devastated that her shop was singled out.

Speaking after the raid, Georgie Hewson, the company secretary, said: "Cherry has taken it hard. It's a family business for the children of Trowbridge. We had all worked hard to create a safe and welcoming friendly atmosphere for families.

"It's an innocent environment and there was never going to be much money in here because we only sell sweets. To have this happen is just awful."

Despite the shocking incident, customers and locals are rallying round the family and offering messages of support.

Mrs Hewson said: "Once the police left we cleaned up and opened up straight away. It is business as usual. We would like to say thank you to the people of Trowbridge that have supported us. People have been coming in and stopping Cherry in the street. It's so nice but such a shame it happened in the first place."

The teenager who bore the brunt of the attack was unhurt but shocked and distressed by what happened.

Mrs Hewson said: "She has worked here since November last year and she's a great little worker. It's such a shame it happened to her.

"It was very traumatic for her and she was very distressed. The shock hit her afterwards I think. She had planned a two-week holiday before any of this and it was her last day before her break. She's ok and will be back to work as soon as she is ready. She's got our full support."

Three people have been arrested in connection with the offence but have not yet been charged. They have been released on bail and police are continuing their investigations.

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