Derbyshire police issues 'serious risk' warning after seven knifepoint robberies

Derbyshire police are investigating a string of knife point robberies in the south of the county. Officers say that the man responsible has not hurt anyone physically but was armed with a knife.

The armed men targeted shops in Derby and Ilkeston on seven different occasions. Now the independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information they receive which helps the investigation.

Chief Inspector Chris Thornhill said: “These offences have understandably caused concern and a team of detectives are following a number of lines of enquiry in an effort to bring the man responsible to justice.

“We have thankfully seen nobody physically hurt in the incidents so far, but any person who is willing to arm themselves with a knife is putting our community at serious risk."

The seven incident details can be found in the list below, with the first three incidents all taking place on October 5:

• Best One Shop in Roosevelt Avenue, Derby, between 6pm and 6.26pm, when a man wearing black jogging bottoms and a distinctive orange hooded top entered the shop carrying a small kitchen knife.
• Shop Smart in Reginald Road, Derby, between 7.45pm and 8.31pm when a man wearing a orange jumper and balaclava covering his face entered the shop.
• Wilmorton Stores, Post Office, London Road, Derby at 9.32pm wearing a bright orange hooded top, black trousers and blue and white converse trainers with a grey glove on his left hand.

The following day on October 6, police believe another shop fell victim to the same offender:

• Co-op, Lexington Road, Derby, between 9.47pm and 10.26pm a man wearing a black hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms, white and black Nike trainers with a navy-blue mask on his face .

Another incident took place on October 14, when police say a fifth shop was robbed, this time in Ilkeston:

• Co-op in Summerfields Way South, Ilkeston, between 9.50pm and 10.03pm when the offender entered the shop wearing a grey coat, navy jacket, white cap, black trousers, and black shoes as well as a face covering and gloves.

There was then a three week gap until the next two incidents took place in Derby:

• T&E Masons Newsagents, Lime Grove, Chaddesden, Derby at 4.40pm when the offender entered the shop wearing a black jacket over a navy hoody, white cap, black tracksuit trousers, black trainers and a snood covering his face.
• Co-op, Smalley Drive, Oakwood, Derby, between 9.58pm and 10.04pm when a offender entered the shop when an offender entered the shop wearing dark joggers, a grey jacket with a navy hood up, a dark cap as well as wearing a face covering.

Derbyshire police want to hear from anyone who was in any of the areas at the times when the incidents occurred, as well as anyone with CCTV that covers the areas or alternatively anyone with dash cam footage from cars that may have been in the area at the times mentioned above.

If you have any information please contact Derbyshire police using any of the below methods quoting the reference number 24000595055:

• Website– They have crime reporting tools on their website: use their online contact form
• Facebook– send them a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• X (Twitter) – direct message their contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call them on 101

To anonymously contact independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.