VIDEO: Rampaging attacker subdued by Rotherham shop staff

Akmeemana Silva, manager of Today’s Express on Upper Millgate, said a staff member had been left scared after the incident.

Police chased the man in the direction of All Saints’ Square but failed to catch him and by Tuesday this week, had still not visited to investigate further or pick up CCTV evidence.

The incident comes just weeks after Rotherham district commander Chief Supt Laura Laura Koscikiewicz told the Advertiser police were prioritising making the town centre safer — and two years after the same shop was targeted by a knife-wielding robber.

Advertiser editor Andrew Mosley, who witnessed the incident and dialled 999, said it was “appalling” police had not been in touch with the store or gone to see Mr Silva.

Shellshocked shopkeeper said the attacker in last Wednesday’s incident had come to the store “three or four times before”.

He added: “The police aren’t doing anything for me. They did not come back. They never phoned or called in with us.

“We can’t do anything. We need some protection.”

Mr Silva said the suspect had even gone back to the store later that night.

The business owner, who expanded his premises last year, having previously been threatened with losing his licence, added: “The police need to sort out the problem.

“It is not only my shop, he will go into other people’s shops, too.”

Mr Silva said he saved CCTV footage but officers had not come to collect it.

“It’s not my duty,” he added. “I can give them the evidence but they need to come and get it.”

Mr Mosley said he had been leaving the nearby Advertiser offices when he was alerted to the incident.

“I could see a man acting aggressively, shouting and screaming abuse and swearing at the shopkeeper, knocking over stands and waving a broken bottle around,” he added.

“I phoned 999 and requested police and spent some time on the phone to the call handler updating her on the situation until two police cars arrived about ten or 15 minutes later.”

The attacker left the shop and headed in the direction of All Saints’ Square, with police giving chase.

But they failed to make an arrest — and did not make a follow-up visit.

“Today’s Express have made a lot of improvements and investments in recent years,” said Mr Mosley.

“They were nearly closed down by the council in 2019 following problems involving early morning drinkers, but completely revamped the shop, increased staff numbers, complied with regulations and won the right to continue trading.

“After the armed robbery, they got no police support and now there’s a violent attack, the police are called but they don’t catch anyone and — much worse — don’t even go into the shop afterwards to check on staff welfare or to see what damage had been done.”

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “The shop owner was also given details of an officer and how to send the CCTV over. It’s a system called DAMS, which is how we always request CCTV footage.

“We haven’t yet received any footage and therefore without that, there are no further lines of enquiry and the investigation has been closed.

“Officers carry out regular patrols alongside partners from RMBC and tackle any issues after identifying any problem areas.

“Anyone with any concerns about anti-social behaviour crime in their area can report it online or call 101.”