A SHOPKEEPER was robbed at knifepoint in Darwen at the weekend.

The incident happened at Sandon Street Grocers and Newsagents and left the victim ‘badly shaken’.

A man is said to have walked into the shop and threatened the 62-year-old shopkeeper with the knife, before escaping with cash.

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No arrests have so far been made and police have not issued a description of the suspect.

The shopkeeper is said to have suffered minor injuries in the incident but has been left badly shaken.

Police patrols have been stepped up in the area following the armed robbery which happened just before 9.45am on Saturday.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact them immediately.

DI Tim McDermott said: “A man has gone inside the shop armed with a knife and has stolen several hundreds of pounds in cash.

“The shopkeeper has suffered some minor injuries. He is understandably very shaken and is being supported by us.

“Enquiries are ongoing and I would urge anybody with information to contact police on 101.”

The shop was closed for a short period on Saturday morning while police carried out investigation work but was open for business by the early afternoon.

It is understood the shop has been run by the same family for around 40 years.

A friend of the family said: “It is very worrying and shocking for this to happen to my friend. It is fortunate he is not more seriously injured.

“He has got facial injuries and is shaken up after what happened.

“He took a sensible decision not to fight. If he had we might have been talking about a fatal incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log number 388 of November 26.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.