Man Tries To Steal £11,000 In Takings

6 September 2011, 12:17 | Updated: 6 September 2011, 12:24

Detectives are appealing for information following an attempted robbery in Portsmouth.

It happened at sometime between 10.50am and 11am on Monday, September 5, when two male members of staff from a local business were outside McColls newsagents on the junction of London Road with Torrington Road.

The two men were taking £11,000 of takings to deposit at the Post at McColls.

One of the members of staff, a 22-year-old man, had got out of the vehicle they had travelled there in and walked over to the front of McColls.  A man approached from behind who then tried to take a red and white sports bag from him, which contained the money.  While attempting to get the bag, the offender punched the victim several times to the side of his head and demanded the bag from him.

The staff member did not let go of the bag, and after a few minutes of struggling, the offender ran away empty handed.

The man police want to speak to is described as:

White

Aged between 20 and 22

Around 5ft 9ins

Medium / chubby build

He had short brown hair

Baby faced

He was wearing a grey long sleeved sweatshirt and brown chino style trousers

PC Sabrina West, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a man going about his business.  The incident took place in broad daylight and at the time there were lots of people in this busy shopping area. 

“When the offender ran away, he ran across London Road and was almost struck by a vehicle.  He then continued across the front of the Green Post public house and down Magdalen Road.  Did you see him in the area?

“As always, I would urge people to be extra vigilant when carrying large sums of money around.”

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has any other information about what happened, to come forward.”

Anyone with any information should contact PC West at Cosham police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.