Police appeal following armed robbery near Braunton

Police in North Devon are appealing for information following an armed robbery at a petrol station in Knowle, Braunton, on Saturday night.

The incident took place at Knowle Garage at around 2000 hours on Saturday, 10 November 2012, just as the garage was due to close.

Two offenders entered the store armed with a meat cleaver and a large kitchen knife and proceeded to threaten the member of staff before stealing around £50 cash from the till. They were wearing black balaclavas.

The knife carried by one of the offenders was left at the scene. Described by Police as a "Kitchen Devil" chef's knife with an un-serrated edge, it is approximately 30cm in overall length with a blade of approx. 16cm. It has a black moulded handle and the width of the blade at the hilt is approx 4.5 cm.

One of the offenders was wearing a grey "ultra magnetic" hooded top whilst the other offender was wearing very dark or black clothing with dark trainers with "addidas" white stripes on the sides of the trainer.

Detective Sergeant Paul McWhinnie of Barnstaple C.I.D. said: "We are appealing for help from the public to try and assist in identifying these offenders

"We would like to hear from any shop keepers who believe they may have sold the meat cleaver and kitchen devil knife or from anyone who is now missing these items and who suspect a family member or someone they know may be involved in this despicable crime.

 "We are also interested in hearing from anyone who believes they may have seen these offenders approaching or leaving the garage and in particular we would like to establish their method of travel to and from the scene.

"The offenders behaved in a very aggressive and threatening manner, swinging the meat cleaver towards the female member of staff and subjecting her to a very traumatic incident."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting reference CN/12/454.