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Brandishing two knives and with his face covered, a raider marches staff through a shop in a terrifying robbery.

The workers were tied-up with cable by the crook, who struck as they arrived to open up the corner shop in Newcastle’s West End.

Disguised as a workman in a hi-vis jacket, he then stole cash and cigarettes from the Nisa shop, in Fenham’s Two Ball Lonnen, before disappearing.

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Detectives are still hunting the raider who struck at around 5.30am on Thursday, January 9, during a spate of violent robberies at Tyneside businesses.

The Chronicle reported on the incident at the time, and today police have released CCTV footage of the crime in a bid to get witnesses to come forward.

Det Con Keith Howells, Northumbria Police Major Crime Team, is leading the probe.

And he is urging people to study the images closely and see if they can identify the man.

He said: “Extensive inquiries continue to take place into this robbery and we’re making a fresh appeal for information.

“We’ve released CCTV of the incident in ongoing efforts to trace the man in the footage and would urge anyone who recognises him or knows who he is to get in touch with police.”

The CCTV footage shows a man in the fluorescent yellow jacket with the two staff members.

The jacket had a missing silver panel at the back and police also want to hear from anyone who knows his whereabouts.

Officers are also trying to trace a cyclist who was riding along Two Ball Lonnen just after the robbery as the offender ran across the road in front of him. They say this man may have information which would help inquiries.

No-one was injured during the robbery, but staff were left shaken by it.

And the raid sent shockwaves of fear through the local business community.

Khalda Ali, of the nearby Newcastle Plumbing and Bath Centre, said: “All we know is that he was waiting behind the wheelie bin and then he came out from behind to attack them.

“Apparently he kept apologising when he was doing it. I have heard quite a few people get done, including Subway, Greggs and the tanning shop.

“It’s quite worrying.”

Beauty assistant Georgia Murray, whose mum owns Sun 2000, said the attack comes just a few years after raiders targeted her family’s store.

In 2007 Keith and Linda Errington were working at the tanning studio when knife-wielding robbers burst in and fled with Linda’s handbag.

Georgia, 23, said: “It’s getting worse around here and I’m trying to not let it worry me.

“It used to be a lovely area. We were targeted a few years ago and we know what it’s like.

“We wouldn’t have been open that early this morning, but we’re open until 8pm on an evening and it can be worrying at times. It’s terrible.

“People must be desperate for cash to do what they have done.”

And Nathan Graham, manager at Men@Work Fitness Centre, which is above the Nisa shop, added: “It’s rubbish for people trying to run a business.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 101, extension 69191, quoting log number 125 of 09/01/14 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.