A WOMAN cashier is recovering today after masked robbers burst into a petrol station kiosk and one jumped onto the counter to steal cash.The robbery –the ninth in Ipswich since December 2, saw three men enter the Esso petrol station in Burrell Road at 7.

By Tracey Sparling

A WOMAN cashier is recovering today after masked robbers burst into a petrol station kiosk and one jumped onto the counter to steal cash.

The robbery –the ninth in Ipswich since December 2, saw three men enter the Esso petrol station in Burrell Road at 7.50pm yesterday.

The men were black, and wore scarves wrapped around their faces to try and conceal their identity.

One jumped on the counter, leaning towards the female member of staff, and demanded cash.

Money was taken from the till and the a second man demanded the cashier open the safe.

The safe was on a time delay lock and was unable to be opened.

A separate tin of money nearby was also snatched, before the offenders ran off towards railway station.

Bill Knowles, assistant general manager at Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society which owns the petrol station, said: "Robberies are getting far too prevalent in this town at the moment."

He said the woman cashier was alone in the petrol station at the time.

He said: "This is a bad business. This was a nasty frightening robbery by three assailants.

"Fortunately the cashier came to no physical harm because she did what the police advise in these circumstances, and looked after herself instead of the firm's money which she was quite correct in doing.

"They took a quantity of cash, and a tin of change which we keep as a float, which is not going to break the bank. No stock was taken."

He said the cashier who works evenings, was being contacted by her manager today to get an update on how she was feeling.

Mr Knowles said: "We always, and particularly in this case, review our systems and methods to see if anything can be learned."

A police spokeswoman said detectives at this stage were unable to say whether this robbery could be linked to any other recent robberies in the area, until more enquiries have been carried out.

More statements are being taken today in a bid to get a clearer description of the offenders.

A police spokesman appealed for witnesses to contact Dc Soraya Francis on 01473 383133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Jason Cressey, 27, of Barking, Essex, is due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on January 23.

He has been charged with the two robberies on December 20 (see below), and asked for offences at Bixley Off Licence on January 2, and Costcutters and the Co-op on January 7 to be taken into consideration.

Nov 5 and twice on Nov 30:

Stonham Parva post office.

Postmistress Sarah Buttle was terrified by three black men, then robbed again weeks later.

Dec 2:

Jan's newsagents, Nacton Road, Ipswich.

A man armed with a screwdriver threatened the female manager.

Dec 20:

Thresher, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Co-op, Ulster Avenue, Ipswich.

A single armed robber held up both.

Jan 2:

Bixley Off Licence, Bixley Road, Ipswich.

A white man covering his face demanded cash from shopkeeper Gillian Farthing.

Jan 7:

Costcutters, Stoke Park Drive, Ipswich.

Co-op, Sheldrake Drive, Ipswich.

A robber believed to be carrying a handgun struck both within 20 minutes.

Jan 9:

Victoria Wine, Norwich Road, Ipswich.

Drinks Cabin, Queen's Way, Ipswich.

Both shops were struck by three black men.

Jan 14:

Esso garage, Burrell Road, Ipswich.

One of three black men, their faces covered by scarves, jumped on the counter.