ARMED men threatened a woman with knives during a raid at a convenience store.

The incident at the Co-op in Oswaldtwistle yesterday morning was the second at the store in three months.

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Detectives said they were called just before 7.10am yesterday to reports that two men had walked in brandishing knives.

The ‘opportunist’ robbers walked behind the counter and attempted to take money out of the till before fleeing empty-handed.

Officers said they made off on foot towards Harvey Street and then possibly Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve and White Ash Brook.

Detectives were yesterday studying CCTV footage of the incident and have released a witness appeal.

One of the robbers was described as white, whilst the other one had his face covered. Both men are believed to be around 5ft 10in tall. Nobody has been arrested so far.

Det Sgt Simon Upton said: “This appears to be an opportunist incident.

“However, the fact both men have had what we believe to be knives has left the shopkeeper shaken.

“Luckily these incidents are few and far between.

“We have a team of detectives working on this incident trying to find those responsible.”

Last week Daniel Malcolm Devlin, 28, of no fixed address, was jailed for 64 months after admitting to carrying out an armed robbery at the store in Union Road in October.

Community leaders, local businesses and residents have spoken of their shock at the latest ‘disgusting’ incident and called on police to step up patrols.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents the St Andrews ward on Hyndburn Council, said: “I think it’s disgraceful that there was another incident like this in Union Road.

“My thoughts are with the staff at the Co-op who are suffering nightmares because of this sort of thing. I will be asking for increased police patrols for our area. If anyone knows anything or saw anything I would urge them to contact the police.”

Sarah Coole, a supervisor at Cohen’s Chemist, which shares a building with the Co-op, said: “It is alarming that this has happened.

“I was worried because I know the staff there and I’m just glad nobody was injured.

“It does make you question what is going to deter them. They have had new CCTV put in recently after last year’s robbery.”

Bapsy Bharucha, owner of Decoware in Union Road, said: “My husband opened up at 8.55am and he saw a lot of police activity across the road.

“I asked customers if they knew anything and all they said was that it was an armed robbery. Any robbery is worrying, especially when its right on your doorstep.”

A customer said: “I am shocked. This is too close to home. You hear about it elsewhere Another customer said: “It’s disgusting. I just came down to get my morning shopping and I didn’t expect to see police tape. It just shows that you can’t have anything today.”

The shop was closed until around 11.10am yesterday whilst forensic investigations were carried out.

A spokesman for the Co-op said:”I can confirm that an incident took place at the store and we would encourage anyone with information to contact the police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log reference 160 of January 28.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org