A MAN has been charged in connection with two convenience store robberies in Accrington.

Andrew Christopher Tomlinson, 32, has also been charged in connection with two robberies in Chorley and similar offences in Leyland and Penwortham.

Police had issued a series of witness appeals following the incidents, which mainly involved one man brandishing knives and threatening shop assistants.

Tomlinson, of no fixed address, was arrested in London last week. A second man, Nathan Nicholas, 23, of no fixed address, was charged with a single count of robbery in December.

Detective Inspector Jane Webb said: “In a three month period, from October to January, a number of violent robberies on shop premises were committed around the Chorley, Leyland and Penwortham area. Last week, following an intense reactive police investigation led by Chorley CID, Andrew Christopher Tomlinson was arrested in the Heathrow area of London.

“We hope this arrest, coupled with the arrest of Tomlinson’s co-accused Nathan Nicholas, will give some reassurance to the public of Lancashire.”

Police said that on October 21 a man walked into Bargain Booze, Whalley Road, Accrington, armed with two knives with the intention of stealing items. But the shop assistant locked herself in a back room and the man left empty-handed.

On October 26 a man entered Mr Booze, Haywood Road, Accrington, armed with two knives and threatened the shop assistant. He escaped with approximately £1,000 in cash.

Officers said that on November 7 two men went into the Costcutters, Harpers Lane, Chorley, one of whom was brandishing two knives. They threatened staff and escaped with money and cigarettes.

On November 14, officers said a robbery happened at Turpin Green Lane Stores, Leyland. Two men entered the shop in possession of a hammer and knives and threatened the owner. The male with the hammer hit the shop owner over the head and his wife also received a cut to her hand as she tried to defend her husband.

There were also robberies at Costcutters, Harpers Lane Chorley, on January 3 and at McColls, Leyland Road, Penwortham, on October 6.