AN armed thief left empty handed after attempting to hold-up a newly opened off-licence. The former Threshers store at the junction of Elgin Avenue and Shirland Road, Maida Vale, was targeted on Tuesday just after 9.30pm. The male suspect entered the shop

AN armed thief left empty handed after attempting to hold-up a newly opened off-licence.

The former Threshers store at the junction of Elgin Avenue and Shirland Road, Maida Vale, was targeted on Tuesday just after 9.30pm.

The male suspect entered the shop - which was recently taken over by a private owner after the collapse of the Threshers chain - and showed the member of staff what appeared to be the barrel of a firearm, hidden inside a bag.

The member of staff fled into the rear of the store, at which point the suspect also ran out, empty handed.

An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We just saw a guy going into the shop and then not long after, he came running out very quickly.

"It was very quick - we didn't think anything was wrong, until after, when we saw the police cars."

No shots were fired and there were no injuries, but police say the off-licence worker was considerably shaken.

A police spokesman said the surrounding streets were searched but the suspect, and the firearm, had vanished.

A full forensic examination of the off-licence took place and the store was open for regular business the following morning.