A SHOPKEEPER has appealed for better street lighting after armed robbers threatened his staff.

Bharat Patel, owner of Vimla Convenience Store in Radcliffe, believes the area around his shop is too dark and says he does not feel safe.

Although there are several street lights nearby in Turks Road, he is upset about the lack of lighting directly outside his shop in Young Street.

Mr Patel’s concerns come after three masked men raided the shop at 8pm on Friday, September 4.

One of the men was carrying a machete and threatened a 52-year-old man working in the shop.

The men stole £200 from the till and cigarettes from behind the counter, before fleeing along Young Street.

Mr Patel said: “The men were wearing masks and dark clothing, and no one saw them coming into the shop because it was too dark. It’s always too dark around here at night. There needs to be more street lights outside.

“I’m worried about my safety now. My children come into the shop sometimes and anything could happen to them. I don’t feel safe at all.”

A Bury Council spokesman said: “There is a main street light sited directly next to the convenience store in Turks Road. There are also two smaller sized street lights sited on Young Street itself, even though this is an unadopted street.

“We have no record of any requests for additional lighting in this area, nor any reports of faulty lighting. However, if the owner of the store wishes to contact us to request additional lighting, we will happily look at the matter.”

Anyone with information about the robbery can contact police on 0161 856 8163 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.