A north-east shop manager has spoken of his horror after his business was targeted by a knife-wielding thief.
A member of staff was at work at A & C Smart on King Street in Aberdeen city centre at 5.30pm on Tuesday evening when a hooded man entered the store.
At first he tricked the employee into thinking he had taken something and was followed out of the shop.
He returned shortly after when other customers had left and pulled out a knife, which he pointed downwards, before telling the staff member to get money out of the till.
The man, who made off with £760, was described as being 5ft10in, aged between 25 and 35, with light coloured facial hair.
He was wearing a dark jacket, dark trousers and shoes at the time.
Last night, the store manager, who did not wish to be named, said the staff had been left shaken by the event.
He said: “I’ve been here for four years and it’s never been happened before.
“We’re in a busy area so we thought we’d be safe. The staff are all very shaken by the incident.
“I left the store at 2.30pm and went home but I rushed back when I found out what had happened.”
He added: “We have told the police and they are going to be back to give us a briefing about how to handle this type of situation and prevent it from happening again.”
Councillor Ryan Houghton, who represents the George Street Harbour ward, urged anyone with information to contact the police.
He said: “Although no one was physically harmed this will have been a harrowing experience for the staff.
“I’d encourage anyone with any information to come forward and share it with the police.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101.
