A shop worker was attacked after masked thugs smashed open shutters during a terrifying convenience store robbery.
The man and a female colleague were then forced into the back of the store during the sickening scenes.
Police today launched a witness appeal after the two men, both with their faces covered, struck in Ainsdale on Wednesday night.
The raiders forced the shutters open and burst in to the One Stop Shop on Liverpool Road at around 10pm.
Police confirmed they attacked a man working inside and forced him and a woman co-worker into the back of the store while they got their hands on £90 cash from the till and cigarettes.
The robbers also made threats towards the staff, although no weapons were seen.
Police are now looking to speak with a witness who is reported to have seen the incident through the shop window and saw the robbers make off in a dark coloured car.
They are described as white men in their early 20s, around 5ft 10in tall, with Southport accents.
One of the men was wearing a black bubble coat, with camouflage balaclava and carrying a camouflage backpack. The other was wearing a black padded coat, black face mask, dark trousers and gloves.
An investigation is underway and CCTV and house-to-house enquiries are being carried out.
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Detective Inspector Catherine Walsh said: “Robberies of businesses are far from victimless crimes – they have a huge impact on people living and working in Merseyside, who provide a vital service to our communities.
“We are committed to finding the people responsible and would ask anyone who has information to get in touch. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area, either on foot or in a car, yesterday evening who saw anyone or anything suspicious to contact us.
“We are particularly interested in speaking with the witness who may have seen the incident through the window – if this is you, please get in touch as you could hold information which is vital to our investigation.”
Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC, on Twitter, ‘ Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call, 101 quoting ref 20000764327.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
