Yet again another armed robbery in Hurst Green. For a normally quiet part of Surrey we seem to be getting more than our fair share of this type of serious crime. I will take the opportunity of the Chief Constable's annual visit to TDC on Tuesday to quiz him on what they are doing.
CCTV photos of the suspects can be found on the Surrey Police website, though the police report is as follows:
At approximately 9.20pm on Wednesday (February 10) two men entered the One Stop shop, on Holland Road, and demanded staff hand over money from the cash tills.
One of the suspects produced a gun concealed within his hooded-top and fired it into the floor.
The robbers grabbed money from the tills and escaped in a waiting vehicle.
Police are keen to trace a dark coloured 'N' registration Renault Clio which had a white driver's door and a black Range Rover which were both seen in the area at the time of the offence.
The first suspect is described as a black man, slim to average build, approximately 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, wearing a black leather (appearance) thigh length jacket, with a dark hooded top underneath, black trousers, black trainers with white laces and black balaclava.
The second suspect is described as a white man, medium to stocky build, approximately 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, wearing dark rimmed glasses, a dark hooded sweatshirt with "Reebok" written horizontally across the chest, dark shell suit trousers with light vertical stripes on each side of the leg, white trainers with dark insets or dashes around the toe cap and sides and black gloves.
There was possibly a third man waiting outside.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant, Karl Humphrey, said: "We are looking into the similarities between this robbery and the attempted robbery at Londis, Hurst Green, in September last year.
"This was a very frightening experience for the two members of staff who were working at the time and also for two young schoolchildren who happened to be in the shop when the robbers burst in.
"I cannot stress how vital it is we locate and arrest these men. They armed themselves with a gun and it is possible one of them may have suffered injuries when the weapon was discharged.
"Oxted is a small community and I can understand those who live there may be very shaken by this event but I would like to reassure you we are doing all we can to identify these robbers and bring them to justice.
"If you know someone who drives an 'N' registration Renault Clio which has a white driver's door or a black Range Rover then please come forward. Your phone call could make all the difference to this investigation."
Tandridge Sergeant David Coomber said: "The local Safer Neighbourhood Team will be working alongside detectives during this investigation and also providing a high visibility presence in the community.
"I would encourage anyone who has any information at all regarding this robbery to speak with detectives or Crimestoppers if you wish to remain anonymous."
Enquiries into this incident are on-going but anyone who can help is urged to contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference TD/10/688 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
