CONVENIENCE store bosses claim employing more staff will make no difference to security after one of its stores was robbed again.

Chelmsford Star Co-op in Church Street, Bocking, was targeted by two masked men, one of whom was armed with a hammer.

The shop, which had just two female members of staff on duty at the time, was also held up in December last year.

Kevin Bennett, head of membership and marketing, said: “Unfortunately in these situations, if armed criminals target a store it doesn’t matter if there are two, four or even ten employees working.

“A week earlier, it appears the same gang targeted another company’s store in Dunmow, where they escaped with more money despite more employees being on-site.

“The solution is not to employ more people in the shops, but for the courts to impose stricter penalties and larger deterrents to stop criminals from making these attempts in the first place.”

The two men demanded money from staff and left on foot with at least a thousand pounds during the raid at 10pm on Thursday.

At least four other Co-op stores in the area have been robbed this year and it is believed the most recent could be linked to another in Flitch Green on July 6.

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One member of the public accused Chelmsford star Co-op of not protect- ing its staff properly and said something must be done.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The Co-op have a duty of care to members of staff, they have done nothing, and I think it’s about time they started to consider their security.

“You can’t have staff being put at risk all the time. I’m worried these people will not come home safely.

“The Co-op need to consider what they will be doing. It’s happening too many times in this area.”

But Mr Bennett explained the Co-op has made sure the staff on duty have received support.

He added: “Our employees are and always will be our most important asset. Both intend to return to work as normal.

“We are proud of the courage they show in doing so, and in dealing so professionally with the criminals when put in this awful situation.”

One man is described as white, about 18, wearing a long-sleeved grey hooded top, a dark baseball cap with a white logo, dark shoes with white socks pulled up. He was wearing a white glove on his left hand and a black glove on his right hand.

The second suspect, who was slightly shorter, was described as white, also around 18 years of age and was dressed in a long sleeved zip-up black hooded top over a white t-shirt, black trousers and black shoes. He was also holding a bright yellow carrier bag.

Other robberies in Co-op stores include:

  • Abels Road, Halstead, robbed at around 8pm on Tuesday, January 17. (East of England Co-op)
  • Broadway, Silver End, raided by three men on January 23. (East of England Co-op)
  • Broadway, Silver End, robbed again shortly before 10am on May 14. (East of England Co-op)
  • Hallett Road, Flitch Green, robbed on July 5. (Co-operative Group)

Contact Braintree CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.