Elderly man injured as armed robbers target Wigan shop in early-morning raid

Aspull Village Stores was open as usual later on Monday morning, following an armed robbery

Two men armed with a large knife went into Aspull Village Stores, on Moorside, Aspull, at 5.35am on Monday.

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Police said they forced their way into the shop and threatened two members of staff.

A 73-year-old man who works at the shop was attacked by one of the robbers and received injuries to his head.

He was taken to hospital for treatment and is now recovering at home.

Police are investigating what happened and said the raiders stole cigarettes, before fleeing in a vehicle in the direction of Manchester Road.

Det Con Paul Sumner, from Greater Manchester Police's Wigan borough, said: “It is completely unacceptable that hard-working people should face this kind of ordeal when they are at work earning an honest living.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area today as the investigation continues to establish exactly what happened and find the men responsible.

“I am appealing to anyone with information, or anyone who saw anything suspicious, to please get in touch with police as a matter of urgency.”

One of the men was described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, of skinny build and wearing a black hooded top with yellow edging.

The second man was described as white, of skinny build, wearing grey jeans and a scarf around his head.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 2984, quoting incident 278 of October 22, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.