A COUNCILLOR has said he is “deeply concerned” with policing and CCTV in the city after a petrol station was raided at knifepoint – the second time in as many months.

The unidentified robber, wearing sunglasses and wielding a large knife, raided the Texaco garage in Ombersley Road in the early hours of Sunday.

The staff member working at the time is understood to have been left shaken but unhurt following the incident at around 5.30am, in which the thief made off with cash.

Councillor Stuart Denlegh-Maxwell, who represents Claines on the city council, said the city’s CCTV is “unacceptable” and that many criminals are coming into Worcester because it’s “easier” to get away with crime here.

The same Texaco garage was also hit in the early hours of September 21, by another sunglasses-wearing thief, who also got away with substantial amounts of money.

That time, the culprit was barefoot and got away with cash and cigarettes at around 3.30am, leaving in the direction of Northwick Road.

It is understood nobody has been arrested or charged following this incident.

Cllr Denlegh-Maxwell described the two robberies as a “great cause for concern” and labelled the culprits as “idiots with a knife”.

“It’s a horrible thing to happen and blooming unfortunate for the staff involved,” he continued.

“A lot of these sorts of crimes are people coming from out of town as they see it as easier to get away.”

The Tory councillor said it is important not to go “jumping to conclusions” regarding the incident this weekend but said “it will be interesting to see what the police response will be”.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion will be holding a panel meeting next week which Cllr Denlegh-Maxwell will be attending.

“I am deeply concerned and will be raising the matter of general policing with the crime commissioner when I see him next week,” he said.

Speaking at a planning meeting last month in which an application for a new KFC in The Cross was rejected, Cllr Denlegh-Maxwell had said the council can help “design out crime” by encouraging businesses to invest.

He went on several late-night visits to The Cross prior to that meeting, and said he saw “nothing that would make him change his mind” about the benefits of welcoming the fast food restaurant.

“KFC is not a ‘fly by’ group. They invest. This is how we design out crime by improving the area.

He added: “We need to encourage businesses who are experienced and are prepared to invest. This is a business that is prepared to invest.”

Mr Campion said: “I am reassured that the police have acted quickly and robustly to deal with these incidents.

“They have issued CCTV from the incidents and had specialist teams at the scene gathering evidence.

“Officers have also ensured appropriate support to individual victims, and they are working with the business to see what more can be done to prevent them being targeted again.

“More widely, the number of crimes being reported in Worcester has fallen in the last year and more funding is available for CCTV.

“Last year I announced up to £1million for communities, including Worcester, to invest in and modernise their CCTV, which is owned and operated by the City Council.

“Funding for improvements is there to be used and I would encourage the City Council to make use of as necessary.”

West Mercia Police duty inspector Andy Smith described Sunday’s robber as wearing a grey hoodie, black sunglasses and blue jeans.

Estimated at 5ft 8ins tall and holding a knife, they took a large amount of cash from the till.

Inspector Smith said: "There is no threat to the public in relation to the incident."

MFG Northwick Service Station was closed and taped off in the early hours while forensic investigations were carried out by police.

The Worcester News has requested CCTV stills and video of the robbery but has yet to receive this from the police or the service station.

Inspector Smith appealed for anyone with information about the robbery to contact police on 101, quoting incident reference 154s181118.

The garage manager did not wish to comment further when contacted on Monday.