Armed thugs in raids on corner shops

POLICE are appealing for help from the public following a series of five robberies at convenience stores or off-licences in the Warrington area.
The raids took place over a period of six days and all involved two or three masked men, sometimes brandishing a knife or a hammer.
A common feature of the attacks is that the offenders wear paintball-type masks to conceal their faces.
The shops involved were Cinnamon Lane, Fearnhead, Willis Street, Warrington, Myddleton Lane, Winwick, Green Lane, Padgate and Bruche Heath Gardens, Padgate.
The raids were on July 9, July 11and July 14.
Some were carried out within 15 minutes of each other.
In each case, staff were threatened and forced to hand over cash from the till.
No-one has been injured – but shop workers were left badly shaken after the raids.
Police are particularly anxious to trace a small, black hatchback car believed to have been used in some of the raids.
Anyone who witnessed any of the offences, or who may have information about them, is asked to contact police on 01244 613831 or to call the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.