£1,000 reward in hunt for knife-wielding robber who targeted 7 shops in a month

A £1,000 reward is being offered for information on a knife-wielding robber who has raided seven shops in just over a month. Since October stores in Ilkeston and Derby have been targeted by the same criminal, according to Derbyshire Police.

The thief has escaped with significant amounts of cash during the frightening robberies, but despite being armed with a blade no-one has been harmed so far. Independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information they receive which significantly assists officers in their investigation.

Chief Inspector Chris Thornhill of Derbyshire Police, said: “These offences have understandably caused concern and a team of detectives are following a number of lines of enquiry in an effort to bring the man responsible to justice. I know there are people in the community who know who this man is – and they know that the right thing to do is to come forward.

“We have thankfully seen nobody physically hurt in the incidents so far, but any person who is willing to arm themselves with a knife is putting our community at serious risk. We are increasing both our uniformed and plain clothes patrols in the city – as well as armed response officers including potential targets as part of their patrol strategies.

“I would urge anyone who has any information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward as soon as possible.”

The first three incidents took place on October 5, with the first robbery carried out at the Best One shop in Roosevelt Avenue, Derby, where the offender was wearing black jogging bottoms, a distinctive orange hooded top, and was carrying a small kitchen knife. He later went on to rob Shop Smart in Reginald Road and Wilmorton Stores on London Road in the city.

The Co-op on Lexington Road, Derby, was targeted the following day, where the man was wearing a black hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms, white and black Nike trainers and navy-blue mask on his face

A fifth shop was robbed, this time in Ilkeston, on October 14. The man, dressed in a grey coat and navy jacket, this time targeted the Co-op in Summerfields Way South at around 10pm. He then returned to Derby three weeks later, robbing T&E Masons Newsagents in Chaddesden on November 6 and the Co-op on Smalley Drive on November 7.

Police want to hear from anyone who was in any of the areas at the times when the incidents occurred – as well as anyone with CCTV that covers the areas or have dashcam from cars that may have been in the area at the times mentioned above. Officers have asked people to get in touch via the force's website, Facebook, X, on 101, or through charity CrimeStoppers.