AN ARMED robber told a shop assistant “see you” before calmly leaving a York store with a haul of goods.

Carol Fowkes, the manager of Donaldson’s convenience store and off-licence, in Lawrence Street, said the part-time employee, Paula Law, was “very, very traumatised” after the offender had threatened her with a broken bottle.

She said: “He was very calm, cool and collected. He wasn’t able to lock the door, and two customers came in, and apparently with that he just picked up the bag with all the stuff he’d got, and calmly walked out, saying ‘see you’, and the two customers hadn’t even realised we’d been robbed until they found Paula crying.”

She said the man pushed Ms Law, who was uninjured in the raid, which happened at 6.45pm on Wednesday. She said the robber escaped with all the money in the till, as well as spirits and cigarettes, but was unable to confirm how much cash, or the value of the items. “That he could make somebody feel like he has with Paula is beyond words,” she said. “It’s despicable that anybody can do that to another human being.”

One eye-witness, who asked not to be named, told The Press how, after the incident, he and a passer-by had followed the thief.

“He then started jogging (and) we lost him down Bull Lane,” he said.

“We weren’t chasing, we were keeping a safe distance, because I’m pretty sure I saw him with a broken bottle or something in his hand. I was pretty sure he was armed.” Donaldson’s, which closed after the robbery, re-opened yesterday morning.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 6.45pm on Wednesday following a robbery at Donaldson’s store in Lawrence Street, York.

“A man entered the store and threatened a woman shop assistant with a broken bottle. The man escaped with a small amount of cash along with alcohol and cigarettes.

“The man is described as white, aged 18 to 20 and about 5ft 6in tall. He was wearing a dark-coloured hooded top, dark tracksuit bottoms and white training shoes.

“A number of witnesses have come forward, but police are appealing for anyone else who may have witnessed the robbery or can provide any other information, to get in touch. The victim was physically uninjured, but was very shaken up by the incident.”

Anyone who can help should contact Det Con Vincent Morris, at York CID, on 0845 60 60 247, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.