Police have praised the courage of five female staff at a York supermarket who remained calm in the face of robbers who threatened them with a hand gun and threw a cement slab at a security screen.

The Spar shop in Huntington Road, York

Two men fled empty-handed from the Foss Mount post office, inside the Spar shop, Huntington Road, York, after an attempted raid left staff unhurt but so shaken that they needed hospital treatment for shock.

The robbers were aided by a getaway driver seen waiting outside the shop in a white Toyota Celica later abandoned at the back of nearby Bookers cash and carry. The police believe the men transferred to another vehicle.

Detective Chief Inspector John Lacy said: "It is terrific how these people reacted in these circumstances and certainly they should take great credit for remaining calm and composed.

"They were able to assist us greatly about the actions of these men."

DI Phil Metcalfe said the men had entered the shop and shouted to staff and customers to lie down.

He said: "They went up to the security screen and told staff to lie down as they tried to smash it with a concrete slab. They threatened staff and customers with the gun. It was quite a violent attack which obviously distressed staff and customers."

Police are anxious to trace a man who handed a piece of card bearing the getaway car's registration number L520 PWW to staff after the attack. The car had been stolen from South Drive, Harrogate, on December 20.

A spokeswoman for Post Office Counters Ltd said the Foss Mount post office would be closed today while the security screen was repaired and customers could use alternative facilities in Haxby Road and Brockfield.

The robbers are described as being in their late teens or early twenties, both white males wearing blue jackets, blue jeans, black woolen gloves, training shoes and dark balaclavas. The man who held the gun is described as 5ft 11in-6ft tall, of slim build and the man who threw the rock is described as 5ft 5in-5ft 8in tall. He was also wearing a red baseball cap on top of his balaclava.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information, particularly about the stolen vehicle, to contact the crime desk at York on 01904 631321.

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