Masked raiders snatch £500

MASKED raiders ran into the showrooms of SWEB in Church Street on Tuesday, threatened staff and grabbed £500 in cash.

Frightened female members of the staff had just opened for business when two men, both in balaclavas and one wielding a baseball bat, went into the shop looking for rich pickings after New Year trading.

Detective Insp Dave Rowe said one man jumped over the screen into the cash area and demanded money.

"He grabbed about £500," he said. "The other guarded their getaway."

The two men then ran off up the Church steps into New Street and into Gyllyng Street, discarding their disguises, some of their clothing and the baseball bat on their way.

D.I. Rowe said he believed the men then obtained a taxi from the Moor to the Trelissick Road area of the town and made good their escape. "That was where the trail ended," he said.

"We would like any information from the public but are confident of an arrest. The women in the shop are all right but very shaken up."

Later two men were arrested and taken into police custody at Camborne where they were being interviewed.

Falmouth was just getting back to work after the Christmas and New Year holiday when the raid happened.

But it has highlighted once again how vulnerable the town's shops are to such crime and how strategically placed video cameras could act either as a deterrent or assistance in quickly tracking down those responsible.

Town closed off after landlord finds 'bomb'

The centre of Falmouth was cordoned off on Saturday after a sophisticated hoax bomb was found in the entrance to a local pub.

The landlord of the Chainlocker on Custom House Quay, Mr Trevor Jones, had the shock of his life as he opened the door after the previous night's celebrations when the pub was very busy.

He spotted the device and immediately called the police, who then evacuated the premises.

The mains streets through the town were taped off while police awaited the arrival of a bomb disposal squad from Plymouth.

Using mobile equipment often used in Northern Ireland and in London, they carried out a controlled explosion.

It was then realised the package was a hoax.

The incident followed last week's fire bombs in Cornish branches of Boots although it is not believed to be connected.

A police spokesman said it was thought the device was deliberately put in place on New Year's Eve when the pub was crowded with revellers seeing in the New Year.

It appeared it was "an elaborate device intended to disrupt the previous evening's celebrations." he said.

Plans for waterside store a step nearer

A WATERSIDE supermarket in Falmouth could move a step nearer reality this week. If built it could also include a water-taxi service to Falmouth at the Prince of Wales Pier.

All conditions required by Carrick for one of the waterside sites, earmarked by Tesco's have been met.

Following on from the superstore planning appeal won by Walker Developments at Kernick, Falmouth Town Council will find themselves discussing two fresh applications this week, including the Tesco site.

While members will be given the official result of the appeal won by Walkers for land alongside the new bypass at Kernick and which is expected to be occupied by ASDA, they will also be placed in a dilemma.

Is another out of town supermarket needed in Falmouth and Penryn?