Last updated at 11:25, Tuesday, 28 February 2012

A man is being hunted by Cumbria police today after a knife-point robbery at a building society in Silloth.

The man threatened a woman clerk with a large knife at the Cumberland Building Society in Station Road yesterday.

He then reached over and took a small amount of money from the till.

No-one was injured during the incident, which was reported at 1.07pm.

Police said today they were looking for a young man wearing dark clothing and a balaclava.

Road checks were set up and house-to-house inquiries carried out immediately after the incident.

Police crime scene investigation units attended the incident, as well as a police dog unit.

Inspector Martin Connolly said: “We were informed of a personal attack alarm at the Cumberland Building Society.

“One of the clerks reported a robbery by a young male dressed in black who threatened them with a large knife.

“We will be continuing our inquiries with CCTV.”

Mark Byrne, Cumberland Building Society spokesman, said: “We are unhappy and upset about the incident and will be working with police to ensure that the culprit is apprehended as soon as possible.

“There were no customers in the premises at the time but there were two members of staff who have both been picked up and taken home.

“We have our own counselling services which will be offered to them.

“We have very clear CCTV which has been passed to the police.”

Nearby residents and business owners were left shocked by the robbery.

Brenda Davison, owner of the Station Tea Room, said: “It worries me being this close and being right across the road.

“It’s maddening – it’s such a nice place for something like this to happen.”

Niki Pearson, owner of Little Gems jewellers, said: “My friend works there but I think she’s okay. Something like this is a bit worrying because you just never know what might happen.”

The branch will reopen today.

First published at 13:48, Monday, 27 February 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk