Merseyside Police detectives are appealing for information after an armed robbery at a convenience store in Southport last night, 10 August.

At around 9.50pm, a call was received of a robbery in progress at Food N Go on High Park Road, on the junction of Roe Lane. Three men are believed to have entered the shop and stolen cigarettes from over the counter. Members of staff were pushed into the rear storeroom but not injured. A crowbar was left at the scene and has been recovered for forensic enquiries.

Witness and CCTV enquiries are ongoing and detectives wish to speak to anyone who saw men acting suspiciously around High Park Street before or after 9.50pm to get in touch. The men are believed to have driven off in a red hatchback car down Old Park Lane.

The men are described as white, possibly teenagers or early 20s, slim build, wearing stockings dark clothing and hoodies. One of the men was wearing a blue coat. One of the men is also described as having a Lancashire accent.

Detective Inspector Paul Nilsen said: "These types of incidents are thankfully rare in the area and I would appeal to anyone with information to contact us immediately, to identify remove these people from the streets. Thankfully the members of staff were not injured but they are understandably extremely shaken and to be threatened and grabbed in such a way is despicable and desperate behaviour.

"The victims are being supported by officers and I would urge anyone with any information, however small, to call us as it may be vital for our investigation.

"I want to assure all residents and businesses that we will do everything possible to identify the offenders and bring them to justice, and ensure that Southport continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and for free on 0800 555 111 or via their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-in...rmation-online.