BASEBALL-BAT wielding robbers are being hunted today by police after they threatened staff at an Ipswich convenience store.The two men, who had scarves covering masking their faces, struck at the Estate Stores, Bramford Lane, at about 8.

By GEORGINA JAMES

georgina.james@eveningstar.co.uk

BASEBALL-BAT wielding robbers are being hunted today by police after they threatened staff at an Ipswich convenience store.

The two men, who had scarves masking their faces, struck at the Estate Stores, Bramford Lane, at about 8.50pm yesterday. They threatened the two members of staff with a baseball bat and demanded money from the till.

One of the men grabbed a 16-year-old boy worker and frog-marched him down the aisle while the other robber, who was carrying what is believed to be a baseball bat, swore at the female cashier and told her to empty the till.

The robbers fled empty handed after the woman refused to hand over the cash and set-off the panic alarm.

Police were quickly on the scene but the robbers had left the area in what is believed to be a dark blue Metro car.

Colin Richardson, owner of the store, who was upstairs when the robbery happened, said: "Both members of staff were very brave and they did really well, however, it could have easily gone the other way.

"I always tell my staff not put themselves at risk and to just hand over the contents of the till. It is constantly emptied so there is never much in there."

The 16-year-old schoolboy who was working in the shop at the time of the robbery was severely shaken by the incident and is not expected to return to work.

"It is disappointing that two scumbags have frightened a young lad so much that he does not want to come back to work," said 38-year-old Mr Richardson.

For safety reasons the store always has two members of staff on duty and Mr Richardson says that despite this unfortunate incident he will carry on.

He said: "I have been in the trade for 19 years and had this store for nearly six and this is the first time any of my stores have been targeted which is not too bad."

Both men are described as black and aged between 20 and 30.

The first offender is described as tall, of slim build and was wearing a dark baggy sweatshirt. The second male is described as 6ft, of slim build and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.

Police would like to hear from anybody who was in the area at the time to contact Danny Mayhew Ipswich CID on 01473 383189 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.