AN 18-YEAR-OLD burger bar worker was held at gunpoint by an armed robber who forced her to open a safe.

The gunman made off with thousands of pounds after he held the gun to the teenage member of staff and ordered her to open the safe at Uncle Sams fast food restaurant on Crabtree Lane, Lancing on Saturday night at about 10.15pm.

The hooded and masked robber entered the takeaway and pointed the gun at the girl before fleeing with the cash and the police were called.

The girl was left “very shaken” and a fellow member of staff said they were all “shocked” about what happened.

The suspect is described as white, slim and short. He was wearing dark  clothing with something covering the bottom half of his face, and he had a hood covering his head.
He was wearing gloves and carrying a black handgun.

The man was caught on the takeaway’s CCTV, which is now being reviewed by Sussex Police.
Detective Sergeant Colin O'Hare said “This is a very serious incident. The staff were unhurt but very shaken by the experience and to point the gun at the woman and force her to open the safe shows great callousness.

“This man needs to be caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.
“If you were in the area and saw this man, or if you have any other information, please contact us right away. You can call us on 101 quoting serial 1565 of 31/5, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Councillor James Butcher, chairman of Lancing Parish Council, said: “It is quite incredible as being a village we hardly ever hear of any violent crime and to have a firearms offence is very shocking.
“The poor girl behind the counter was only 18 and I imagine she is very shaken.“