FELIXSTOWE: A store owner is appealing for help to track down a would-be robber who threatened a shop assistant with a metal bar.

The incident happened at Underwoods Newsagents, in Beach Station Road, just after 11pm, on Sunday.

A man, who was wearing a hooded top and had a scarf over his face, walked into the shop and asked a worker to put money into a bag while waving a metal bar at him.

The store’s manager, who was in a back room at the time, heard what was going on and rushed into the shop to confront the man who fled.

The owner, who asked not to be named, said: “I heard all this noise and rushed out to stop this man. I heard him shout ‘open the till and give me the money’ – when I heard that I knew I had to act.

“I shouted at him – I’m not sure what I said – but he turned and ran almost immediately. I suppose he didn’t want to fight me. It all happened very quickly and I’m just glad the situation didn’t escalate.”

The owner added he was unable to get a good look at the offender but had since used the store’s CCTV system to recall the incident.

He added: “The man was only in the store for a few minutes, his face was covered up, but he was wearing a checked red and white top.

“I’ve only been here for six months and we haven’t had many problems so far – hopefully it’s a one off.

“If anyone knows anything about the incident I would urge them to contact the police as soon as possible.”

n Information can be given to Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.