THERE was widespread anger yesterday, Wednesday, following an attempted robbery that saw the perpetrator allegedly attempt to stab a member of staff in a busy Enniskillen shop.

Shoppers and staff at Loane’s Costcutters on the Cornagrade road detained a man yesterday morning and held him to the ground after he allegedly attempted to stab a member of staff in the shop.

PSNI officers later arrested a man and woman in relation to the incident, that also saw two people subsequently hospitalised.

A Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) spokesperson said: “We received a 999 call at 10.21 on Wednesday, May 26 following reports of an incident in the Cornagrade Road area of Enniskillen.

“We despatched two emergency crews to the scene. Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, two patients were taken to the South West Acute Hospital by ambulance.”

Speaking later that day on behalf of the Loane family, Elizabeth Loane said: “I am very disappointed about today’s events. My heart goes out to the staff affected; the incident was very traumatic for them.”

Elizabeth was relieved that none of her staff were injured. She said: “The staff are all safe; none of them are injured. They are just shaken up, and a have a bit of anxiety.”

Safety is a priority for the Loane family. Elizabeth confirmed that staff never work alone in the shop, and she told this newspaper, “We may need to put in extra security measures.”

She continued: “The shop was closed for a few hours while the police worked, but we reopened very quickly.

“It just disrupts things and disrupts business; it doesn’t make business any easier.”

Eyewitnesses with newspapers rolled under their arms from their visit to the shop mere moments before the incident gathered on the pavements near the shop to discuss the events, saying they were disappointed and angry at what had occurred in their community.

One witness described “a fierce commotion with four or five police cars and ambulances – I was on my way to the shop and didn’t know what had happened”.

Onlookers praised staff for their quick reaction to handle the situation. Staff in the shop dealt with customers with courtesy as they informed them that the shop would be closed for a few hours.

While police examined the scene inside, outside a painter calmly continued his work painting a sign.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: “Police are appealing for information following an attempted robbery at a premises in the Cornagrade Road area of Enniskillen.

“At around 10.15am, police received a report that a male, believed to be armed with a knife, had attempted to stab a member of staff in the shop.

“The male was detained by members of staff and customers who held him to the ground until officers arrived.

“A male and female have been arrested in relation to the incident and are currently assisting police with their enquiries.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the police at 101, quoting reference 499 of 26/05/21.

A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111, or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.