Police were today hunting a robber who threatened a shopworker and escaped with a "substantial" sum of cash.

The raid took place at Fads homestyle shop in Newland Street, Witham, about 5.30pm yesterday

The female member of staff, who is in her 50s and lives on Canvey Island, normally manages another store in the Fads chain and was locking up at the back of the premises when the robber struck.

She was forced to open the shop safe and hand over what an Essex Police spokesman described as "a substantial sum of cash, being a good four-figure sum."

After the robbery, which involved verbal threats but no weapon, the robber ran off but it is not known in which direction.

The robber is described as white, in his early to mid-20s, about 5ft 8ins tall, stocky with light brown hair and a rounded face.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a blue zip-up jacket.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Newland Street and Maldon Road area of Witham between 5.15pm and 6.15pm yesterday to contact Witham police station on 01376 501212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Thursday, January 30, 2003

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