Staff Member Shaken After Knife-Point Attempted Robbery in Belfast

A staff member was left feeling “badly shaken” following an attempted robbery at an off-licence in North Belfast. The incident occurred on October 3, 2025, shortly before 12:30 PM at a location on Oldpark Road. According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), a man armed with a knife entered the premises and demanded money from the staff member.

The PSNI reported that no money was handed over during the incident, and the suspect fled the scene empty-handed, making his way along Alliance Avenue on foot. The staff member, who was not physically harmed, was understandably shaken by the experience.

The suspect is described as being in his late 20s to early 30s, wearing a dark blue hoodie and carrying a green Co-Op bag. PSNI detectives are currently investigating the incident and are appealing for public assistance. They are urging anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or who has dash-cam or CCTV footage from the surrounding area to come forward.

Police Appeal for Witnesses

In an official statement, a PSNI spokesperson said, “Detectives would ask anyone who witnessed this incident or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with their investigation, to call them at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 675 03/10/25.”

Reporting options also include an online submission through the PSNI’s non-emergency reporting form, accessible at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Additionally, the public can contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111 or through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety in retail environments and the importance of community vigilance. As investigations continue, local authorities are encouraging the public to remain alert and report any suspicious behavior.

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