Business as usual for staff after Lynn raid ordeal
Staff at Francis Wain jewellers getting ready to reopen following Tuesday's armed robbery. LtoR - Francesca Watson, Daphane Mace, Donne Kidson (director), Tove Harper, Jules Wain (director), Dawn Williamson, Helen Emery. www.lynnnews.co.uk/buyaphoto
DETERMINED staff at Lynn jewellery shop Francis Wain aim to make it business as usual tomorrow – despite being subjected to a terrifying ordeal when a gang of armed robbers struck at the premises this week.
Yesterday, police were still hunting the robbers, one of whom was carrying a handgun and another wielding a sledgehammer as they burst into the Norfolk Street shop at about 9.50am on Tuesday.
The raiders, in hoodies and scarves, drove into the busy pedestrian precinct, via High Street, in a silver Mercedes people carrier.
One used what looked like a fire extinguisher to set off smoke, as two ran into the shop, shouting at and threatening staff and passing shoppers.
Within a minute, they smashed glass cases inside the shop and outer foyer before grabbing expensive items and running back to the Mercedes. It was driven off towards Chapel Street and abandoned in Pilot Street, along with some clothing.
Women staff at Francis Wain earned praise from their directors for the way in which they handled the situation and helped clear up the mess and get the store ready to open again.
In a statement, directors Jules Wain and Donné Kidson said: “Although the incident was a shocking experience for all of our staff in the shop, we are very proud of their fortitude and would like to thank them for acting quickly and calmly when raising the alarm.
“We would also like to thank the public who have telephoned us and sent emails to express their concern and to offer ongoing support.
“Francis Wain is a resilient family business that has been serving our customers for more than 50 years and we are committed to continue doing so.
“We are in the process of cleaning up and re-glazing and intend to open up for business again as soon as possible.
“We are pleased to say that our competition to win a 0.40 carat diamond is still running and we are accepting entries from ladies with the most imaginative Leap Year marriage proposal planned for February 29. The deadline for entries is February 13.”
They said it had been “absolutely terrifying” for the staff and people in the street outside, as the robbers had been aggressive and shouting and screaming at them.
One elderly woman needed medical attention from a paramedic after collapsing near Marks and Spencer through shock. Yesterday, she was said to still be shaken but recovering well.
A Big Issue seller nearby said: “I was just sitting talking to someone when this silver people carrier pulled up with three people in it. Two of them were definitely men but all had their faces covered.
“One of them had a sledgehammer and he ran in with another. They smashed something inside and then ran out again. They screamed off in the car.
“I told a couple of people to get out of the way – if anyone tried to be a hero they would have been really hurt. These guys meant business.”
Another eye witness, in a nearby shop, said: “A lot of smoke went off and I saw them smash the window with a sledgehammer and they were scooping up the items on display, We were all screaming and shaking and I saw them looking at us.
“It only lasted about a minute at most before the van drove off. It was like a dream sequence, when your brain doesn’t work fast enough to take it all in.”
Shift manager Chris McKenna, 23, at the nearby Subway fast food shop, saw one of the gang spraying a fire extinguisher.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 26 C
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