A RETAILER has appealed to the public after a member of staff made a failed attempt to stop thefts at their outlet in Barrow.

A spokeswoman confirmed that nobody was injured during the incident and appealed for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

The Co-op spokeswoman said: “We can confirm there was a robbery at the Abbey Road Co-op in Barrow-in-Furness at 9pm on Sunday 23rd, in which a man stole two bottles of alcohol. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident, but we do urge anyone who may have any information to come forward to Police, who are investigating."

Co-op reiterated that they have a huge emphasis on 'Safer Colleagues and Safer Communities' after being questioned about the recent incidents where Barrow-based Co-ops have been targets of theft.

Co-op has invested more than £140m in measures to protect colleagues, introducing the latest technology to keep colleagues safer and to deter violence and abuse including: the latest CCTV; communication headsets for all frontline colleagues; SmartWater spray for security officers to deploy in the most extreme incidents and which provides evidence for the police to act on later; fog cannons in kiosk areas and, body-worn cameras which can send real time audio and visual footage to a security operation centre at the touch of a button and, which will be activated in over 550 stores by the end of 2021.

Police are investigating two incidents of theft that occurred at the Co-op on Abbey Road that occurred at 12.30pm on the May 22 and 9.30pm on May 23.

A spokeswoman said: "During both incidents it is reported a man has taken a number of items without offer of payment.

"Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact police on 101 quoting log number 221 of May 23, 2021.

"Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, completely anonymously, on 0800 555 111."