Police are hunting a robber who threatened staff and left a Spalding woman shop assistant “shaken” before stealing a mobile phone.
The suspect, a tall white man in his mid-twenties, is believed to have been walking up and down The Crescent from about 10.30am on Saturday before going into fruit and veg shop, The Grocers, an hour and 15 minutes later at 11.45am.
He threatened staff and asked for cash but none was handed over.
Police say the robber took the phone and was then seen walking off towards Priory Road.
Community policing inspector Jim Tyner said: “Robbery is a vile crime that has a significant impact on the victim and on the sense of wellbeing for the wider community.
“Detectives are following up on several strands of investigation but if anyone recognises the person in the CCTV footage – or has any information about this case – I would urge them to contact us as soon as possible.”
The shop is owned by Steve and Shelly Andrew, of SJA Produce, who also run market stalls in Spalding and Crowland on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
They were not available for comment yesterday and their shop was closed, but there was a link on the SJA Produce Facebook site to the police website featuring a CCTV picture of the robbery suspect and details of the crime.
Beneath that was an entry that read: “Simple folks, £100 reward for the scum caught, if you have the information to help us catch him.”
Spalding police were on the scene for some time after the robbery and one Francis Street trader, who did not wish to be identified, said they saw and heard nothing until the police arrived.
Insp Tyner said: “We have been working hard with The Crescent Traders’ Association to improve policing in the area.
“Only last week a trader praised Spalding police for our continuous efforts to make the area safe.”
A spokesman for The Crescent Traders’ Association said: “It’s very rare that incidents of this type occur in Spalding and we are sure the police will make an arrest very soon.
“The Crescent Traders’ Association has an excellent relationship with Insp Jim Tyner and his team and we continue to work together to ensure Spalding continues to be a safe place to shop, work and live in.”
l The robber is “very tall”, has short dark hair and speaks with “no obvious accent”. Call 101 if you have any information.