Newlyweds could have seen armed robber

DETECTIVES hunting an armed robber who was foiled in his attempt to raid a Stowmarket store could quiz newlyweds hitched at a nearby register office, it emerged today.

The knife-wielding robber burst into party suppliers Phosphene in Milton Road South on Saturday at 4.20pm, demanding cash.

But brave grandmother Ann Dix, who owns the store with husband Cliff, startled the teen robber when she refused to hand over money before picking up a paper knife to defend herself.

There were five weddings at the adjacent Stowmarket Register Office on Saturday and police are hoping video footage and photographs taken at the ceremonies may have accidentally caught the offender on film.

Although no arrests have yet been made, it is understood detectives have identified two suspects.

Police today praised Mrs Dix's fearlessness - but warned members of the public against putting themselves at risk.

A spokesman said: “These were unusual circumstances in which the staff member happened to have a knife to hand for work purposes, and while we would never encourage anyone to take action in this way, the staff member was very brave during this incident.

“However, ultimately, we cannot condone anyone putting themselves in danger.

“Any member of the public confronted with such a situation is advised not to put themselves at risk and to call 999 as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The spokesman said it was too early to formally link the raid with an armed robbery at a Stowmarket hairdresser's salon on September 25.

He said the force was keen to speak to a driver of a silver Land Rover Freelander, which the robber ran in front of after fleeing, or any of the people who were in the shop at the time.

The offender is described as male, white, in his late teens to early 20s, around 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins, and of slim build. He was wearing a grey or navy hooded top, light coloured trousers, with a grey scarf around his face.