Armed police surrounded a flat during their hunt for an armed robber who threatened staff at a convenience store with a machete.
Dozens of police armed with guns have been seen outside a flat close to St Anne Street in Newtown as officers search for the armed man who is still on the run.
A witness described seeing police wearing riot gear surrounding the second floor flat shouting ‘armed police’ though the open door, when his car was stopped by officers as he drove close to the Northgate Arena this afternoon.
“The police were all around the side and the front of the flat, they had guns pointing in at the door,” said the witness, who did not wish to be named.
Police confirmed that armed officers searched an address close to St Anne Street, but that no one was at the address.
The armed search comes as police continue their hunt for a man armed with a machete who held up terrified shop workers staff at the Co-Op on Walker Street, Hoole and made off with an unknown quantity of cash at lunchtime today.
The force helicopter continues to search the area from the skies while members of CID and uniformed officers search the area nearby for the robber.
Residents living close to the scene came to out onto the street to express concern for the staff at the popular shop, as police cars filled the street and officers with a police dog searched the car park and surrounding alleyways for evidence.
Officers are currently guarding the door to the shop, while forensics gather evidence inside. Police at the scene confirmed no one was hurt in the incident.
Spokesperson for Cheshire Police, Rachel Hayes, said: “At 1.09pm today (Tuesday), police received a report of an armed robbery at a shop in Walker Street in Hoole.
“A man entered the Co-Op with a machete and demanded money. He then made off with an unknown amount of cash.
“Police are currently making an extensive search of the area. The police helicopter is also in attendance.”
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I just hope everyone is ok.
“They are a really nice family that work there. It is not very nice.”
Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 377 of October 15 2013.
Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.