A YEMENI shopkeeper was forced to run for cover after a gunman burst into his Liverpool shop.

It was the third violent attack on Merseyside convenience stores and newsagents in the last week.

Shocking pictures, captured by cameras in the Wavertree shop, show two thugs robbing Cardigan Street News at just before 3pm last Thursday.

The shop assistant managed to scare off the first hooded crook, only for him to come back seconds later with an accomplice armed with a gun wrapped in a black binbag.

Fearing for his life the 31-year-old shopkeeper fled to safety through the back of the store while the pair rifled behind the counter.

Seemingly unconcerned about members of the public walking in and disturbing them, they spent some 30 seconds looking for valuables before escaping with cash from the till and phone cards.

Today the 45-year-old owner of Cardigan Street News, who asked not to be named, said: “My cousin was in the shop at the time. These people just walked in in broad daylight. It was 3pm, the time when kids are finishing school and people would have been about but that didn’t bother them.”

“And then they just walked away afterwards. They must be local because they knew how to get away and didn’t have a car.”

It is the second time in the past two years the shop has been targeted.

In March 2007 the owner’s brother- in-law was hit on the head with a gun.

But when the thugs realised the owner was in the backroom they fled.

The owner, also from Yemen, said: “I am here for the community with everything but I cannot enjoy working here because we are so on edge, wondering what will happen next.

“We moved away from a society filled with hatred and violence. But it has come full circle to Liverpool now.”

A Merseyside police spokesman said: “People who commit these type of crimes can expect the full attention of the police and we will not rest until the offenders are brought to justice.”

“House to house enquiries and high visibility patrols in the area will be continuing.” and officers are continuing to work with the community to help reassure and to help us with our inquiries and find those responsible.”

A ROBBER wielding a baseball bat threatened a shop worker before making off with cash.

Two hooded men entered Martins newsagents, in Chester Road, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, at 6pm on Saturday night.

They told the female member of staff was told to open the tills by the raiders.

The raiders stole a small quantity of cash and made off on foot back along towards the traffic lights which are at the junction with Station Road.

They then crossed over the road and were last seen going down Red Lion Lane by the side of the Red Lion pub.

The men are described as white and aged between 19 and 23. Both had local accents.

The first offender is 5ft 2in tall and was wearing a grey coat with the hood pulled up over his head.

The second man is described as slightly taller and was wearing a black coat with the hood pulled up over his head. Both had local accents.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 01244 613 131 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.