CCTV appeal after thugs armed with meat cleaver and axe hold up off licence (From St Helens Star)

CCTV appeal after thugs armed with meat cleaver and axe hold up Bargain Booze in Newton-le-Willows

2:12pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

IMAGES of the terrifying moment two thugs armed with an axe and a meat cleaver held up an off licence have been released by police.

Detectives are hunting the masked men over the robbery at the Bargain Booze on Crow Lane East in Newton-le-Willows.

During the raid the robbers threatened the 46-year-old shopkeeper and his 24-year-old son with the weapons before ordering them to lie on the floor.

The crooks then helped themselves to cigarettes and cash from the till.

The staff were left shaken but unhurt following the ordeal, which happened shortly after 6pm on Sunday, December 30.

The offenders escaped in a small red getaway car.

Detectives say the men spoke with Manchester accents and are appealing for anyone who saw men leaving the off-licence and getting into a red car to call them.

The man armed with a small yellow axe is described as white, around 6ft tall, of medium build, with black clothing, including a distinctive hooded jacket.

The second offender, who had the meat cleaver, was slightly smaller and also white. He was wearing a dark grey Nike top, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

He had distinctive blue eyes and was carrying a small meat cleaver.

Detective Constable Roy Waller from St Helens CID, said: "The victims in this case are decent, hard-working people who run a family business in their local area.

“Both men have been left extremely distressed by the robbery and we are determined to do all we can to catch the offenders.

“I call on anyone who knows who these offenders in the CCTV might be to come forward and help us bring them to justice.”

Call St Helens CID on 0151 777 6038 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.