Shop staff 'badly shaken' after being threatened with knife in robbery

Police said the thoroughfare was busy at the time of the incident and the public may have noticed the suspect.

Shop staff ‘badly shaken’ after being threatened with knife in Pumpherston robbery in West Lothian — Robbery: Officers have been reviewing CCTV footage and carried out door-to-door enquiries. Google Maps

8th Dec 2022

Two shop workers were threatened with a knife during a robbery in West Lothian on Wednesday evening.

At around 7.20pm on December 7, a man entered a shop on Pumpherston Road by Uphall station and demanded money from the till while threatening staff with the blade.

The thief, who police said had been loitering in the area before the incident, then made off towards Uphall train station.

While the shop workers were uninjured, they have been left badly shaken by the incident.

Police are now hunting a suspect who is described to be white, around 6ft tall with a slim build.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing dark coloured clothing and gloves.

Officers have been reviewing CCTV footage and carried out door-to-door enquiries.

Detective constable Ross Collett said: “From enquiries carried out so far, the suspect was loitering in the area, which is a busy thoroughfare, prior to the robbery taking place so other members of the public may have noticed him.

“I would also appeal to motorists with dash cam equipment to check for footage which could assist our investigation. If anyone has any information, I would ask them to please get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2990 of December 7. Alternatively, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.