DESCRIPTIONS have been issued by police after armed robbers threatened a York barber in an attack last night.

Three men entered the Cut Fellas kiosk in Clifton Green at just before 7pm and threatened the man working there with a knife. They demanded money, and police said the victim "handed over a large amount of cash".

The victim, who is in his twenties and was closing the shop for the night, chased one of the men around the Clifton Green area as they made off on foot.

A police spokesman said they believed the suspects then used a vehicle to head north out of York on the A19, and issued the following descriptions of the suspects:

  • One of the men was aged 20 to 22, of skinny build and between 5ft 5ins and 5ft 7ins tall. He had stubble and wore blue denim jeans and trainers. He is believed to be of British origin.
  • The second man was 25 to 30 years old and skinny, about 5ft 7ins tall, with a thick beard, a very thin face and short black hair. He was described as being of Kurdish origin.
  • The third man was also thought to be between 25 and 30, 5ft 9ins tall and a stocky build. He had stubble, dark curly hair and wore a grey hoodie with the hood up. He was also described as being of Kurdish origin.

Police attended the scene at about 7.20pm and carried out door to door enquiries, forensic tests and reviewing CCTV. Officers remained at the scene into the night, but the cordon had been lifted by Saturday morning.

One local hotel worker said: "I noticed quite a few police cars and a van. I was wondering why they were theree but didn't think anything of it until two came in and asked for CCTV from the front desk.

"This was about 7.40pm. When I left at about 8.10pm, I noticed there were two officers inside and one outside. It was quite a mess inside. 

"I didn't notice any damage to the outside, but it looked like someone had gone in and wrecked it inside. There were chairs and heaters and newspapers and doors all open and thrown around the place. The police didn't tell us anything."

One local B&B owner said officers had attended at about 9.30pm and asked whether anything had been thrown into the garden, and had been looking for discarded items, but had not confirmed what they were looking for.

Detective Inspector Jackie Smart, of York Serious Crime Team, said: “While we’d never recommend that victims of crimes such as this place themselves in more danger by confronting their attackers, we do hope members of the public on this busy stretch of road may have seen this incident unfolding. They could have important information that could help our investigation.

“If you think you witnessed any part of this incident, saw any men matching the descriptions in the area at the time or have any other information that could help detectives, please contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information should phone 101, select option two and ask for York Serious Crime Team, email SCTYork@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference 12180032195.