Hunt for masked knife-wielding man who robbed Barnstaple Spar shop

An appeal has been launched after it was reported a masked raider brandishing a knife robbed a Barnstaple Spar store on Saturday (May 10).

It happened shortly before 9.50pm at the Spar convenience store at the junction of Bear Street and Boutport Street.

The man threatened a female worker with a knife before fleeing the store with four bottles of vodka.

The suspect is described as white, around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, and aged around 18 to 25. He was wearing a black zip-up hooded jumper, dark-coloured trousers and black shoes. He was also wearing a blue and white face covering with a grey-coloured baseball cap and carrying a black duffle bag.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who saw the man before or after the incident or who may have dashcam or CCTV footage to get in touch.

Before robbing the store, the offender walked from the direction of Barnstaple Central Car Park, previously known as Queen Street Car Park, via Queen’s Walk and into Bear Street.

After fleeing the store with four bottles of Smirnoff vodka he ran back along Bear Street in the direction of Alexandria Road. He then headed into Queen’s Walk again, towards the Central Car Park.

Inspector Andy Wills said: “We’re appealing for the public’s help to investigate this offence in which a female retail worker was threatened with a knife.

“Incidents such as this are fortunately rare in Barnstaple, but they have a significant effect on victims.

“We’ve shared the direction of travel and route taken by the offender both before and after the offence.

“We are asking everyone to consider; did you witness anything? Where did they go before and after? Do you recognise the clothing worn, or know who did this? Did you have a vehicle in the area with a dashcam which might have captured the offender? Did somebody you know turn up after this offence, with bottles of Smirnoff vodka?

“We would also ask anyone who has private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the area to review any footage taken both before and after the time of the offence which might have captured the offender

“If you have any information on the offence, please help to keep our community safe by contacting Devon and Cornwall Police via our website at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting reference 50250117209.”

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling free on 0800 555111.