A MAN from Launceston has been arrested in connection with a knifepoint robbery at the town’s steam railway.

According to police, on Sunday afternoon, a man, in possession of a knife and wearing a scarf across his face, entered the gift shop and repeatedly demanded cash from the till from the elderly female assistant. When she refused he opened the till himself, removed hundreds of pounds in cash and ran off towards Newport Industrial Estate. The assistant was uninjured.

An area search was conducted for the suspect by local and firearms officers and a dog handler. As part of the search a local female police officer attempted to stop a male suspect on the ‘Zig Zag’ path, which leads from the industrial estate to Dockacre Road.

The man then assaulted the officer and made off. The officer was taken to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth with head and leg injuries. She has since been released from hospital.

A 41-year-old man was later arrested at an address in Launceston in the early hours of Monday, August 31.

The man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He remains in custody at Launceston police station as the Post went to press.

Nigel Bowman, director of Launceston Steam Railway, said the shop assistant, who did not wish to recount her experience, is ‘okay, slightly shocked, and extremely angry’.

He added: “I think the assailant can count himself lucky there were no heavy objects to hand!”

Mr Bowman said of the incident: “I brought the last train back to the station around 4.35pm and my wife Kay told me. It was about 4.10pm-ish, an armed hold-up in the shop. It was carried out at knifepoint.

“He had waited until the last person left [the shop] apparently. It had actually been quite a quiet day but the last train came back quite full, and passengers were quite shocked when they heard what happened.

“We are given to understand that the thief made good his escape up through the Zig Zag path and on the way assaulted and put into hospital a police officer. We wish the officer well.

“I’m afraid anyone who runs a cash in a till business, it’s in the back of their mind, always.

“Emotionally, it’s very sad that this sort of violence that we relate to deprived inner cities has reared its ugly head in Launceston.”

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.