CCTV appeal after sixth knife-point robbery in Lincoln

Lincolnshire Police have released CCTV pictures of individuals wanted in connection with a series of knife-point robberies across Lincoln in recent weeks.

A sixth robbery took place at McColl’s on Oakwood Avenue in Lincoln at around 9.15pm on April 12 when a man carrying a knife entered the shop and demanded money from two female members of staff.

CCTV image of the suspect in the robbery at McColls on Oakwood Avenue on April 12, 2016

Money was handed over and the man escaped, leaving the two women frightened and upset.

Previous robberies have occurred at Lincolnshire Co-op stores in the city, a Spar shop and the Sainsbury’s on Carholme Road.

CCTV images from the robbery at the Co-op store on Skellingthorpe Road on March 12, 2016

Police previously said that they believed the robberies were “a coincidence” but now suspect that some of them may indeed be linked.

However, the force has said that the number of robberies is unprecedented.

Suspects captured on CCTV fleeing the scene of the robbery on Queen Elizabeth Road on March 13, 2016

CCTV images from the robbery at the Co-op on Queen Elizabeth Road on March 13, 2016

DCI Diane Coulson of Lincolnshire Police said: “We hope that by releasing these images we can help trigger the memories of people who may have been in the area and may have witnessed any of these incidents or seen anybody in the area acting in a way that seemed suspicious or out of character.

“We believe that the robbery on Queen Elizabeth Road and the one last night in Oakwood Avenue may be linked and we are investigating any possible links with the other incidents.

“We are doing our utmost to track down those responsible and I would like to issue an appeal to anyone who knows these individuals to get in touch with us, even anonymously.

CCTV images of the suspect in the robbery at the Co-op on Station Road in Branston on March 18, 2016

“The staff members who have been confronted by these individuals haven’t been physically hurt but they have understandably been left fearful and shaken up. That is simply not acceptable. Nobody should be made to feel fearful in their place of work.

“We have a number of enquiries ongoing in relation to each of these incidents and I would like to emphasise that this is indeed very rare.

“We have officers dedicated to this investigation and are doing everything we can to track down these individuals.

CCTV capture of the suspect in the Woodfield Avenue Spar shop robbery on March 26, 2016

“Our crime prevention officers have also been doing a lot of work offering advice to businesses and employees. If you have any worries or would like anything further from them please don’t hesitate to get in touch on [email protected].

“If you have any information that you think can help the enquiry please contact us on 101 quoting the latest incident number 412 of April 12. If you would like to give information anonymously please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Previous incidents:

• The first robbery took place at the Co-op on Skellingthorpe Road on Saturday, March 12 and saw man wielding a knife at a member of staff before demanding she had money over from the till. (incident 440 of March 12)
• The second robbery took place around four hours later outside the cashpoint at Sainsbury’s on Carholme Road. A woman using the cashpoint was approached by a man again carrying a knife, who demanded money from her. (incident 21 of March 13)
• A third robbery was reported to police on Sunday, March 13, involving two men armed with knives entering the Co-op store on Queen Elizabeth Road, and demanding cash from the male member of staff. (incident 383 of March 13)
• The fourth robbery occurred at the Lincolnshire Co-op in Branston on March 18. A man entered the shop and threatened a female shop assistant with a knife before grabbing a bag containing takings. (incident 445 of March 18)
• A fifth robbery took place at the Spar shop on Woodfield Avenue at around 9.20pm on March 26. A man entered the shop and demanded money from the till. (incident 434 of March 26)