Rainham family newsagent in armed robbery
A knife-wielding thug threatened two women working in a Rainham newsagent before taking all their cash on Monday.
A shop worker has spoken of the moment when she was confronted by an armed robber.
Jasmine Patel, 31, was working in Gayatri Newsagents in Broadway, Rainham, with her aunt at 1.35pm on Monday.
She said: “He came behind the counter with a knife and told me to give him all our money.
“I just wanted him to put the knife down and get out of the shop so I gave him what he wanted.
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“We were just relieved not to be hurt. You can make more money but it’s being safe that matters.”
The robber got away with the day’s takings.
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Miss Patel said her parents have owned the business for 26 years and have never had any trouble.
She added: “It was just shocking. I’m feeling better now but my parents are distressed, it’s not come at a good time.”
Chairman of Rainham Village Shopkeepers’ Association, Cllr Jeff Tucker, said: “I’m disappointed that something like that has happened in the village.
“My sympathy is with the family, having had a similar thing happen in my shop. This is another example of why we need CCTV in the village.”
The suspect is white, aged 40 to 45, and wore a khaki jacket and a beanie hat.
Havering police are investigating, call 101 with information.
