Armed robbery in Bartholomew Street: police appeal for witnesses

Police were called just after 9pm on Thursday 16 February to reports of persons seen with a gun in the Food and Wine Shop on Bartholomew Street.

Officers, including armed officers, quickly arrived at the scene and found two shop workers unharmed but that the shop had been robbed. The suspects had fled prior to police arrival.

Detectives believe that two shop workers were in the store when shortly
after 9pm two men entered the store. The first [suspect 1], produced a gun and pointed it at the shop workers, demanded money and threatened to shoot.

'Suspect 1' then took money from both tills in the shop and stuffed it into a bag the second suspect [suspect 2] had brought.

'Suspect 2' then left the shop first heading in the direction of Great Dover Street. 'Suspect 1' then followed him out.

Neither victim, both men; one aged in his 40s the other in his 20s, reported any injuries.

The incident is being investigated by the Met's flying squad.

'Suspect 1' is described as male, possibly Somali, aged 19-20 years, approx 5'8" tall with a muscular build. He was wearing white trainers, black track suit trousers with white vertical stripes the length of them, black hoodie worn up and a black scarf round his face and black gloves. The gun he pointed is described as a long barrelled silver handgun.

'Suspect 2' is described as a black male, aged approx. 19-20 years, approx. 5'6" tall with a small build. He was wearing white trainers, white trousers, blue hoodie worn up with white drawstrings hanging down, black scarf worn over his face and blue latex type gloves. He was carrying the bag the money was put into which is described as a blue thick type carrier bag with a white inside and drawstring close.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call the flying squad on 020 7232 6530 or police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.