Newsagent slashed in robbery attempt

The robbery happened at 6.05am yesterday at Chichester News in Stanhope Parade in South Shields.

The offender went into the store, brandished a knife and demanded cash from Mohammed Rahman

The 40-year-old suffered a cut to his hand and was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital for treatment before being discharged a few hours later.

Mr Rahman said: “It was very early in the morning and the man just barged into the shop saying he needed cash.”

Mr Rahman tackled the raider and ended up with a cut to his hand.

He said: “He ended up hitting my left hand with the knife and cutting it. Then he just ran off.”

Mr Rahman’s wife was pleased there was no customers in the shop.

She said: “Thankfully nobody else was about as it was so very early.

“It’s awful that this has happened. My husband had to shove him out of the shop and that’s when his hand was cut by the knife, but the man didn’t get away with anything.

“My husband has been to hospital and is having a rest then he will be back to work in a few hours.

“We think one of the other shops must have seen what happened and they called the police.”

The offender is described as a white man, aged in his 20s, 5ft 11in to 6ft tall and was wearing a grey hooded jumper and navy tracksuit bottoms.

Police say he possibly had a scarf over his face.

He fled empty handed on a bike left outside the store.

Officers are in the area carrying out investigations.

Detective Sergeant Dave Henderson said: “We would like to hear from anyone who was in or around Stanhope Parade at around 6am yesterday morning as they may have information that can help in our enquiries and trace the offender.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 130 2305016 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.