Anger after Bushmills robbery

Ulster Unionist councillor Willie Graham said there is much worry in the town about the number of incidents, the latest of which came last Thursday night when there was an armed robbery at a shop and a police helicopter was drafted in to a manhunt.

Cllr Graham told the Times: “The traders are up in arms. They feel they are being picked off one by one and so far nobody has been caught.

“I know the police are trying hard and did well to bring in the helicopter but traders feel it is time we have people being caught. There have been four incidents since the start of the year, the first at a shop, the second at a bookies and then there was an incident at the Community Centre and now the latest supermarket.

“The traders are finding it hard enough with out this and some shops are now bringing in extra staff at times like closing time to ensure their staff are safe,” said the councillor.

A meeting will be held at The Copper Kettle in The Diamond, Bushmills, at 7.30pm this Wednesday night. It will involve traders, the PSNI and Moyle District Policing Partnership.

Police said at 10.23pm on Thursday they received a report of a robbery by two males persons at Spar, Bushmills. They were wearing bin liners over their heads, wearing white and grey hoodies, 5’8” in height, slim build.

They entered the shop and threatened staff with a hammer. Money taken from tills. Discarded items were found close to Heronshaw,

Police were in Bushmills at the time of the incident and the police helicopter arrived within 25 minutes.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity to contact them on 08456008000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800555111.