A TEENAGE robber is today on the run after carrying out a daring daylight robbery at gunpoint - and making off with just £30.

A TEENAGE robber is today on the run after carrying out a daring daylight robbery at gunpoint - and making off with just £30.

Suffolk Police are today appealing for witnesses to the robbery, which took place at McColl's newsagents in Ellenbrook Green, Chantry, yesterday leaving shop assistants shaken.

This is the third time the shop has been targeted by robbers.

In yesterday's incident man aged around 18 or 19 entered the shop at about 11.30am wearing a motorcycle helmet.

When the 28-year-old shop assistant asked him to remove it, he swore at her and demanded money, before brandishing a handgun.

She gave him all the money in the till, which amounted to just £30, and he ran off. However within seconds, he came back into the shop but seeing the assistant on the phone to police, ran out again.

Lynn Trenter, who has worked at the store for six years, said: “He must have gone out and realised he only got £30 and came back in for some more.

“She thought he was joking at first when he asked for the money and said she wasn't going to give it but then he brought the gun out and she was quite scared.

“I think she is still shaken now.”

Karen Barnes, who has worked there for 13 years, was threatened at gunpoint when the shop was targeted a few years ago.

She said: “It brought back memories. It is not nice. You do think it is a joke at first.

“We don't feel safe working here-certainly not at the moment but we don't want him to get the better of us.”

The shop closed for a few hours after the robbery and the shop assistant went home to recover. It reopened for usual business at 2.15pm.

Inspector Graham Burch at Suffolk Police said: “A white man wearing a crash helmet and black clothing including gloves made off with an amount of money having threatened a shop assistant with a hand gun. He ran across the shop car park towards Belmont Road.”

The man is described as 5ft 8ins tall of medium build. He wore black clothing and his black motorcycle helmet had a dark blue pattern above the visor.

Anyone who can help police with their inquiries is asked to contact DC Stuart Colbear at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500.

Do you feel safe in that area? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

In November 2003 a man entered the shop wielding a gun and demanding money. The staff on duty hit the panic button behind the counter and the would-be thief left empty handed.

In November 2004 a man wearing a balaclava threatened staff with a gun and a knife. He escaped with some money and left via the back door.