Ram-raid robbery at Bilston shop leaves staff shaken

A shop worker at the Cash Shop on Church Street in Bilston described the "scary" moment a robber nearly reversed into her as a car crashed through a window in a ram-raid robbery on Wednesday. Summer Evans, a customer service representative, had been restocking shelves at around 09:30 GMT 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.

Evans said she was putting gold items in the window and looked up just as the vehicle was speeding towards her. She dashed to safety, and the shelf behind her caved in. Three suspects escaped and an investigation has been launched by West Midlands Police. The shop was damaged and items were stolen, but no-one was reported to have been injured.

This 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. She said the store has offered a £1,000 reward for information that could lead to a conviction. Powroznik also urged the council to install protective bollards around the pedestrianised area.

Other business owners have also called on the council to do more to improve security in the area. Kevin Evans, from Coseley, who runs Dixon Family Butchers, said the town should have been pedestrianised years ago. A spokesperson for the City of Wolverhampton Council said the authority was "deeply concerned" about the incident and was working closely with West Midlands Police to strengthen security within the town centre. The council said it remained "committed to creating a town centre that is safe" and urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police.