A shop boss today told how he faces a mass exodus of staff following two robberies at his store within 48 hours.

Spa manager Oomesh Jeetun said the workers he has got left at the shop in West Street, Rochford, are "living in terror".

Exodus - Oomesh Jeetun fears he will lose staff permanently after two robberies Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

A security guard is now being installed to keep the store and its staff safe.

Mr Jeetun, 23, who has been in charge since November last year, has already had two staff members flee in the last few weeks due to escalating trouble in and around his store.

Now he fears more staff will follow in departed footsteps due to two almost identical robberies on Saturday and Monday.

He said: "It is not just the two robberies but the regular fighting outside the shop and people being aggressive in the shop and shouting, it is getting too much.

"Staff have left because they are too scared and don't want to work."

Mr Jeetun, of Cambridge Road, Southend, recalled the two robberies which happened on Saturday at 9.15pm and Monday at around 5pm.

He said: "This guy came in on Saturday and asked for some blue Rizla papers and when our cashier opened the till he grabbed a whole lot of money, about £660 in cash.

"He then said to the cashier 'don't shout out or I will cut you to pieces'.

"Then on Monday the same thing happened when a man came in when the same cashier was on duty. Our cashier thought he was the same guy and again the robber said 'say anything and I will cut you to pieces'.

"He grabbed cash, this time a smaller amount of about £100, and left."

Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003

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