Ardoyne shop staff and customers threatened with hammer in attempted robbery

The man was chased from the scene by staff and members of the public

A man armed with a hammer threatened staff and customers in an Ardoyne shop during a robbery where he attempted to flee with one of the tills.

The incident took place at a shop on Ardoyne Road at around 4.30pm on Thursday, November 20, when a man reportedly entered the premises and forced a staff member to move away from the tills before stealing a sum of cash.

The man then tried to use the hammer to open other tills in the shop, but failed, and continued to threaten staff before trying to assault a customer with the weapon as they tried to intervene.

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The man then fled with one of the tills in the direction of Brompton Park while being chased by staff and members of the public who managed to retrieve the till.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incident and are asking anyone with any information to contact them.

Detective Inspector Kitchen said: “Shortly before 4.30pm, it was reported that a man armed with a hammer entered commercial premises at on the Ardoyne Road and forced a member of staff to move away from one of the tills, before proceeding to take cash from it.

“It was reported that the suspect then attempted to use the hammer to damage and try to open the other tills without success, and continued to threaten staff whilst trying to take more cash.

“He then made a number of attempts to assault a customer with the hammer who tried to challenge him, and then made off with a till in the direction of Brompton Park.

“He was chased by shop staff and members of the public who managed to retrieve the till.”

Detective Inspector Kitchen continued: “Our enquiries remain ongoing this morning, and we are appealing for anyone with any information which might help us to get in touch.

“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1131 of 20/11/25.

“You can also submit a report online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”