crime

Police are investigating after a man threatened a married couple with a gun at their Somerset store.
The man pointed the gun at newsagent Hilary Burton, but her husband, David, stepped between them. David refused to give in to the teenager's demands to fill his bag with cash and cigarettes, forcing him to flee empty-handed.

Two masked raiders armed with a gun, knife and CS gas canister threatened staff before escaping with takings at a Greater Manchester store.
One man wore a green skull Halloween mask while the other had ski goggles with a top zipped up over his lower face in the attack on the Sanghani store in Kearsley.

A pair are due in court in connection with the armed robbery of two c-stores in Falkirk, Stirling. The raids took place at the convenience store on Dock Street, Carronshore, and the Mini Market in Greenbank Court.
The men, aged 23 and 29, are due to appear at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

Three men have been convicted of a series of violent armed raids on
c-stores in the Greater Manchester area. The gang appeared at Manchester Crown Court
and will be sentenced at a later date.
In one raid, on a Spar store in Urmston, a cashier was held face down on the counter while a gun was placed to the back of his head. He was then forced to hand over takings.

Two men questioned by police over a sub post office robbery in County Tyrone have been released pending further inquiries.
Two women, including a member of staff, were held hostage during the incident at Melmount Road, Strabane.
A vehicle and ammunition were among items seized for forensic examination following searches in the area.