TWO men brandishing a knife raided a supermarket but fled empty handed.

Staff at the Co-operative store in Regent Street, Llangollen, were unhurt but left badly shaken by their ordeal.

Men from the Denbigh area were arrested in two seperate police operations on Friday in connection with the knife raid on the store at about 7.50pm on Thursday.

One man was arrested in connection with the robbery and was being interviewed in St Asaph while three men were arrested later during a second police operation.

Two were arrested on suspicion of robbery while two were arrested on suspicion of assisting offenders.

It had originally been believed a quantity of cash had been stolen, but on Friday afternoon police said the offenders fled empty-handed, while a knife had been recovered.

Inspector Siobhan Edwards said officers were pursuing several positive lines of enquiry and asked for anyone with information relating to the robbery to get in contact with Central CID by telephoning 101.

Inspector Iestyn Edwards said: “We would like to reassure people living in the area that this type of incident is very rare and North Wales is a safe place to live and work.”

A spokesman for the Co-operative said: “We can confirm an incident occurred on Thursday evening at our branch on Llangollen’s Regent Street.

“Staff were unharmed, but badly shaken, and police are now investigating the matter.

“As with any incident such as this, the Co-operative is reviewing security measures at the store. 

“We would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”

Ian Parry, clerk to Llangollen Town Council, said: “There is a low rate of crime in Llangollen, which we pride ourselves on. We would ask anyone who can help the police with their investigation to contact officers as soon as possible.”