Mother speaks of gunpoint robbery horror at store

The victim’s mother, who asked not to be named, said her son was working in Ashraf’s Store, in Upper Road, when two robbers entered.

The masked men burst into the newsagent’s last Thursday and demanded cash from the shop assistant before revealing a hand gun.

His mother said: “My son said it all happened so quick. They came in and pulled out the gun.

“He just panicked and gave them the money from the till and they took it then left. They were gone in 20 seconds.”

The victim handed over a small quantity of cash and cigarettes.

He called the police, who took CCTV footage from the newsagent’s.

His mother said: “My son is really shocked and shaken by the whole thing.

“Hopefully someone out there will know who they are. I just hope it does not happen to anyone else.”

Both suspects are described as male, Asian and aged between 20-25.

The first was 6ft 2in and stocky and the second is 5ft 8in, heavily built and dark stubble.

Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Neil Money said: “Enquiries into this incident are at an early stage.

“I would appeal directly to anyone who witnessed the incident or saw anything suspicious in the area to contact police on the non emergency number 101.”