Worker's terror as ram-raiders crash BMW into shop

A shop worker has described the "scary" moment a robber nearly reversed into her as a car crashed through a window in a ram-raid robbery.

Summer Evans had been restocking shelves in the Cash Shop on Church Street in Bilston at around 09:30 GMT on Wednesday when a car burst through the storefront.

A video captured a group of men stuffing items into an orange bag before the car fled the scene.

"We're all a little bit shaken up. It was really scary, we're all a little bit on edge today being back," Evans, a customer service representative, told the BBC.

She said she was putting gold items in the window and looked up just as the vehicle was speeding towards her.

"I turned around to grab some earrings and as soon as I looked back at the window, there was a BMW reversing at me.

"I dashed as quickly as I could. I heard the loudest crash, I grabbed the phone, ran upstairs to my colleague, called the police, it was quite scary.

"If you look back at it on the camera, you can see I'm running away, the shelf caved in behind me."

Three suspects escaped and an investigation has been launched, West Midlands Police said.

It is the second time in just over a year the pawnbroking and gold-buying store has been targeted in the same manner.

Managing director Gosia Powroznik said the first time a passerby was almost hit by a getaway vehicle.

"We are incredibly relieved that nobody was injured but we cannot keep relying on luck," she said.

"Nobody should have to come to work fearing that a vehicle could be driven into their workplace.

"Stock can be replaced and damage repaired but the impact on people takes much longer to overcome."

The store has offered a £1,000 reward for information that could lead to a conviction.

Powroznik added: "We have also been urging the council to install protective bollards around the pedestrianised area.

"These incidents have shown just how vulnerable staff and pedestrians are, and we need practical measures to protect everyone who works in and visits the town centre."

Other business owners have also called on the council to do more to improve security in the area.

"I'm getting a bit annoyed with all the break-ins that are going on in Bilston," said Kevin Evans, from Coseley, who runs Dixon Family Butchers.

"This town should have been pedestrianised years ago. The same shop has been targeted again, it's getting beyond a joke now.

"The council have just had £20m in Pride in Place money and instead of wasting it on carnivals they need to put security in the town and get it done properly - enough is enough."

A spokesperson for the City of Wolverhampton Council said the authority was "deeply concerned" about the incident and "understands the impact events such as this have on local businesses, residents and the wider community".

It added: "The council is already working closely with West Midlands Police to inspect, survey and identify measures that will strengthen security within the town centre.

"Bilston's Pride in Place Board has outlined significant funding to improve safety and the wider town environment. The council is also looking at potential short-term measures to assist while plans are put in place for wider public realm improvements."

The local authority said it remained "committed to creating a town centre that is safe" and urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police.

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