RESIDENTS claim they are living in the most "terrifying" street in Darlington, saying multiple armed robberies at a convenience store nearby have left them fearing for their lives.

P&J’s Convenience Store, in Brougham Street, has been targeted by armed robbers several times over the last 12 months.

 

But those living in the street have said they are "living in fear" and have demanded more to be done to stop those committing the crimes.

In October 2017, a woman working at the shop was threatened by armed robbers, who aimed a knife towards the till.

However, her family said she was saved from being “slashed in the face” by chocolate Kinder Surprise eggs that were on top of the confectionary counter in the shop.

Two months ago, a man was jailed for five years for carrying out a robbery at the store in March.

And last month, a woman, who was working alone in the shop, was threatened with a machete before the robber escaped with cash.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "It is just awful, people are struggling to sleep at night and if you hear a noise, you immediately assume something bad is happening.

"It won't be long before someone is seriously hurt or worse, killed, unless these criminals are stopped.

"I don't know how anyone would feel living in a house knowing that across the road there has been multiple knife robberies in the same year - I doubt there is a more terrifying street in the town."

 

Inspector Chris Knox, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Following the incidents we have stepped up patrols in the area to provide reassurance to local residents.

“After this particular incident, CID officers visited the street and spoke to residents to discuss their concerns, gather intelligence and provide reassurance.

“We would urge all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us."

Ron Hogg, Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, added: “I am concerned about the recent robberies at this shop.

"I understand that that the Constabulary has put in place extra patrols in the area, and I would urge residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Police.”

 

Durham Police released CCTV images of last month's incident earlier this week to help track down the suspect,

Detective Constable Helen Hudson, from Darlington CID, said it was a "disgrace" that the woman was subjected to such a terrifying ordeal.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference number CRI00163155.

YOUR COMMENTS

Anonymous: "Lived on the street for 14 years and it is a really nice street some lovely residents, I know all my neighbours and people help each other all the time.
"Issue is the street has quick escapes over the park, main road etc, easy target for undesirables that have no will to work hard for a living."

Homshaw: "Darlington has a large percentage of underacheivers. The North Road area has a serious drug problem. If you are desperate for cash corner shops are an easy target.

"Neither does the future look bright. Ofsted reports show we are producing another generation of underachievers
"The police are pathetic. They ignore drug taking. Brilliant at PR but when it actually comes to deterring and catching people they don't seem to care."

Ian Inglis: "Lived there for a year early 90s, got burgled, but as I remember shop never got done and there was some good Darlo people in the street."

Nicola Murphy: "Totally agree. Horrible memories. Back lanes echoing with whistling drug deliverers. People that would arrive in your back yard - and even your lounge. Motorbikes riding up and down the pavement (when I lived there) and police did nothing. Hated living here - four doors down from the shop."

Thomas Allan Davies: "Darlo... drug ridden bottom feeders. Aycliffe, Shildon, Bishop all following in its footsteps. Sad. Merry Xmas."

Kay Gibson: "My local shop. It's the staff there I feel sorry for. It must be terrifying to have that happen."

Clare-Louise Hall: "I live across the road from this shop. I wouldn't say I live in fear. The people who are doing these things don't live in our street. If anything it has made us look out for our neighbours as a community and want to help more, but I don't think this is a bad thing."

Jon Galloway: "I hardly think a couple winos and the odd smack are terrifying. The kids who play in the street don't seem too terrified. I stubbed my toe in my house once there, and my lass cut her finger washing up. Apart from a couple of robberies, that's as terrifying as it gets."