THE dramatic moments when a youth carrying a knife vaulted a shop counter to threaten a staff member and steal goods has been relayed to Thurrock Nub News.

Around 11am yesterday (Saturday, 15 April) a young, male dressed in dark clothing with a hoodie and in possession ofa knife, climbed onto the shop counter of the Co-op store on Socketts Heath, Grays, and vaulted the perspex safety screen to invade the staff-only till area. 

This bypassed the locked access door and trapped a lone female staff member, who retreated to the far end of the till area as the youth approached her.

Saying nothing throughout, the raider reached for two bottles of spirits and, in doing so, dropped the knife. 

Although terrified, the staff member had the presence of mind to snatch the knife and toss it out of reach, while calling for help over the staff wireless headsets and pressing the shop's panic button. 

Other colleagues responded promptly and one recorded mobile phone video with good quality images of the intruder. Rather than exit normally through the door, the man then climbed back over the screen and left the shop.

The panic alarm alerted local police, leading to an arrest being made shortly afterwards. 

The store was closed for several hours while police took statements and collected forensic evidence, including recovery of the knife. 

The store's off-duty manager and other senior Co-op managers in the area attended quickly to help secure the scene, reassure staff and assist with providing the store's CCTV images to the police officers.

The staff member was unhurt in the incident but was traumatised by the event, is being comforted by family and has been offered support through the Co-op's staff care scheme.

On Monday (17 April) Essex Police issued the following statement: "We have arrested a teenage boy on suspicion of robbery in connection with a robbery at a store in Lodge Lane, Grays.

"Two bottles of alcohol were taken during the robbery reported to have taken place just before 11am on Saturday, 15 April.

"No one was injured.

"A knife was recovered at the scene.

"He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and has been bailed until 6 May."