Local people describe shock after masked robber with gun steals cash from restaurant

A man armed with a suspected handgun robbed the Royal Garden restaurant in Attleborough yesterday evening. Photo: Google (Image: Archant)

The drama unfolded at the Royal Garden restaurant on Besthorpe Road, Attleborough at around 7.30pm Thursday after a man entered the restaurant armed with what it believed to be a hand gun and demanded money from the till.

People in Attleborough expressed shock over the armed robbery.

Sam and Steven Taylor, who own The London Tavern on Church Street, said they heard sirens around the time of the robbery.

Mr Taylor said: 'I popped out to get food around 9pm and there was at least 10 police cars parked up down Besthorpe Road.

'There was police all over the town, walking dogs up as far as Lidl.'

However, Mrs Taylor said despite the unpleasant incident they felt safe in the town, She added: 'We've been here 15 years and there's so much CCTV someone would have to be desperate to risk getting caught doing that.'

But two residents, who did not wish to be named but live on Besthorpe Road, said it had left them feeling shaken.

The 68-year-old said: 'This town used to be so sleepy but it feels like there's more and more trouble every week.

'It makes you question who your neighbours are.'

Sonya Meakin, who works at the Quickstop shop on London Road, said although she felt safe in the town the robbery had shook the town.

She said: 'I couldn't believe it, things like that don't happen round here. I'm completely taken aback. It's horrible.'

The robber, who is believed to be in his early 20s, wore a black mask as he took a quantity of cash and fled the scene.

Police described the man as white and approximately 5ft8.

Anyone with information or who saw suspicious activity in the area at the time of the robbery should contact Thetford CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.