A LLANARTH shop worker sustained minor injuries when the village store was targeted by robbers on Saturday night, it has emerged.

Dyfed-Powys Police say the un-named man was confronted by a suspect during the incident at Premier Stores at approximately 10pm.

The employee received injuries which did not require hospital treatment. It is believed that two men were involved in the robbery.

“Luckily no-one was seriously injured in the incident and police officers are currently in the area conducting enquiries,” said Det Sgt Matt Briggs.

Local county councillor Bryan Davies expressed alarm at what he described as ’the latest example of rising rural crime’.

“Although Llanarth itself is quite heavily populated, this is obviously still very much a rural area,” he told the Cambrian News.

“Whether those responsible are local or come from afar I’m still concerned that rural crime is on the increase.

“In cases like this you have to think of the staff involved and the effect it will have on them. My family use that shop and you can’t help thinking what might have have happened had we walked in while the robbery was in progress.

“As local co-ordinator of the Farm watch programme I know that farm crime is on the up so I would urge people to be vigilant.

“The city and all its problems has moved a step closer to Ceredigion.”

Cllr Davies added that the ’one positive’ to come out of the recent Synod Inn incident when a policeman was assaulted by two men following a routine stop check was that there was a greater police presence in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to ring 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 800 555111.