Stop Press

[Ian]

Interesting.  As our reporter on the spot, we'll await a full report and photos... 

[Bellringer]

Sorry Ian I am now back home in Conwy. The Pioneer reports a robbery at approx. 2.23pm at premises in Mostyn St. I saw police at Gregory's and the corner taped off. Quite why Lloyds Bank was closed, I have no idea I'm afraid.

[Blongb]

Police Helicopter is now circling overhead

[Bellringer]

The Daily Post reports eye witness accounts of three raiders with machetes and that they might have made their escape in a grey BMW.

[Bellringer]

It is now being reported that the Tre Marl Industrial Estate in the Junction has been closed off by armed police.

[SteveH]

Interview with owner

Here’s what Gregory Narey has said following the robbery.

“Four members of staff were in the shop at the time and were very shaken up. Thankfully no-one was injured, but it was very scary and they were shook-up afterwards. They perpetrators made off with some expensive watches. We are insured, but our main concern is the smashed glass as well as the damage to the fittings and furnishings. The four men were fully kitted out in black from head to toe and couldn’t be identified at all. I’d like to thank the police for their help, but the most important thing, as I said, was that no-one was hurt.”  refDP

[Ian]

The DP live blog was pretty comprehensive, if somewhat later than our reporter at the scene but there was absultely no m,ention of it on the BBC yesterday or today, as far as I could tell.

[Fester]

Gregory's is closed today though, what a shame for them at this time of year.

[Ian]

What I find both interesting and depressing in equal measure is the lack of interest shown in the incident on the News. Apart from the excellent coverage by the DP as fas as BBC is concerned nothing happened.

I've noticed before that if something happens North of Brecon it's rarely mentioned, but this was a serious and potentially dangerous crime in broad daylight. You'd have thought at the very least it merited a mention.

[Merddin Emrys]

I also can't believe that there was no mention of this on the BBC? Is an armed robbery in North Wales not considered  serious enough? 

[Bri Roberts]

It may have been more productive for it to have been reported on BBC North West.

[Ian]

But it wasn't. Astonishing, really.

[DaveR]

Is Chris Dearden still covering the area for the BBC?

[Bellringer]

I was approached by BBC Radio Wales in September to do a live interview about our Bell ringing simulation system. This followed David Powell's story in the Daily Post. I replied by email within the hour saying I would.
However I received a reply saying they (the BBC) had filled the slot with something else which turned out to be a Cardiff person raising money by running a half marathon. A worthy effort I agree.
Yesterday I received a call about the same bell story and would I still do an interview. I declined and said I thought with Gregorys' robbery that there was something more newsworthy.

[Tom Davidson]

Ian, thanks for praise for our coverage, it really does mean a lot as this can be a thankless job sometimes.

Personally, I was also surprised BBC decided not to cover the robbery and I cannot really think why, as rightly said this was a serious incident and one out of character for Llandudno I would say. I wouldn't like to speculate as to why they chose not to... just odd to me.