Staff traumatised after robbery at chemist's

Detectives have appealed for information about the robbery at Lagmore, which took place shortly after noon. Two men - one armed with a hammer - entered the chemist shop at Mount Eagles Drive.

They escaped with Tramadol and Diazapam medication.

The men wore dark-coloured hooded jumpers and jeans.

SDLP Dunmurry Councillor Brian Heading said: "This is sure to have been an extremely frightening and traumatising experience for those working in the pharmacy and we hope that they are able to put this behind them, but it will not be easy for them to do so.

"This chemist shop is a lifeline for many people in the Dunmurry area who depend on it for dispensing medication and advice. There is a danger that if these types of attacks continue, the community will lose this type of fantastic local facility and other businesses will be deterred from investing in the area.

"I would encourage people to be vigilant, especially coming up to Christmas and urge the PSNI to liaise with business owners and key-holders and to educate them as to how they can minimise the risk of suchlike attacks to their employees."

Mr Heading also urged parents in the area to be vigilant, should their children find any tablets which may have been dropped and to warn their children of the dangers of such pills.

Anyone with information or who witnessed suspicious activity should contact detectives by calling 0845 600 8000, alternatively information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.