Syringe robbery ‘linked’ to unemployment, drugs

An SDLP councillor in west Belfast says that a robbery in which a syringe filled with blood was used is partly a symptom of drug abuse and unemployment in the area.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 24th Aug 2020, 15:11 BST
Updated 24th Aug 2020, 15:26 BST
The masked robber threatened the shopkeeper with a syringe, apparently filled with blood.The masked robber threatened the shopkeeper with a syringe, apparently filled with blood.
The masked robber threatened the shopkeeper with a syringe, apparently filled with blood.

Police said a man wearing a mask entered the Cavendish Street store and demanded money from the till at around 6pm on Sunday.

When the employee refused, the man produced a syringe, which appeared to contain blood, and threatened the employee before fleeing with cash and cigarettes. The robber was slim, in his twenties, 5ft 6in with blue eyes, and blonde hair.

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SDLP councillor Brian Heading applauded the courage of the staff member. “But we are going to get more petty crime like this because there are other issues within the community such as drugs and unemployment,” he said.

“It is regrettable that a lot of people have to resort to things like this, but it doesn’t justify them threatening people like this.”

SDLP representative Paul Doherty said the robbery “left the many young families and elderly residents in the area shocked.”

Sinn Fein councillor Claire Canavan described the crime as “absolutely reprehensible”. “It is particularly concerning that the preparator threatened the employee with a used syringe,” she said. 

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Corner shops have been central to supporting the local community throughout the pandemic, she said, appealing for information to be given to the police.

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