A SHOPKEEPER told how today he took a bat to two men who tried to rob him.

Naomi Cassidy

A SHOPKEEPER told how today he took a bat to two men who tried to rob him.

Raja Supramaniam, owner of V&N Food and Wine in Norwich Road, Ipswich, was so determined not to hand over any money or drink to the threatening men who entered his shop demanding goods, that he got a bat from out the back and scared them off.

Police are hunting for the two men who went into the shop at about 8.30am on Sunday and initially attempted to purchase beer.

As the premises is not licensed to sell alcohol before 10am on a Sunday, they were refused, and then proceeded to threaten Mr Supramaniam.

He said: “They wanted beer but I said no. One stood outside by the door and the other one started threatening me, saying 'give me money or otherwise..' and he put his hand in his pocket to imply he had a knife or something. I knew he didn't have anything.

“I got a bat from in the back and that scared them off.”

Mr Supramaniam, who was also working at the shop when a similar incident happened a few months ago, refused to hand any cash over and both men fled empty handed toward Cromer Road.

Police are now appealing for help in tracing the men.

The first man is described as white, aged about 35, 6ft 2in, with a medium build and short brown wavy hair. He was wearing grey jeans and a grey t-shirt.

The second is described as white, aged about 30, 6ft 2in, with a large build and with cropped blond hair.

Anyone with information should call Pc Julie Stuart at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Have you been a victim of crime? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk